Rangers trade the farm for Garza

[JohnU]

Yeah, the same Matt Garza who wanted somebody to beat up on Johnny Cueto.
Seems like a lot to give up for one pitcher.
This is the price the teams are willing to pay to gamble on that 2nd wild card spot now.



The Chicago Cubs today acquired infielder Mike Olt, right-handed pitcher Justin Grimm, right-handed pitcher C.J. Edwards and up to two players to be named (depending on players selected) from the Texas Rangers for right-handed pitcher Matt Garza.
Olt, 24, was the 2012 Texas Rangers Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .288 (102-for-354) with 17 doubles, one triple, 28 home runs and 82 RBI in 95 games for Double-A Frisco.
Grimm, 24, has spent nearly the entire 2013 season at the major league level, going 7-7 with a 6.37 ERA (63 ER/89.0 IP) in 17 starts with Texas. He was named the American League Rookie of the Month for April.
Edwards, 21, has gone 8-2 with a complete game and a 1.83 ERA (19 ER/93.1 IP) in 18 starts for Single-A Hickory this season. He has struck out 122 batters in 93.1 innings pitched, good for an average of 11.8 strikeouts per 9.0 innings, while walking just 34.

 

[Redsfan1507]

I've always thought Garza was overrated. Good stuff, untimely location, now older and more injury prone. I think in 3 years, the Cubs might look like winners here...on the other hand, in 3 years, these guys might all be playing for someone other than the Cubs. Olt is a 1b, and Rizzo is too. You gotta pitch, but in a small park you need to score, because the other team will.

The Cubs have a lot of holes, and IMO, are trying to build a team around a shortstop with below
average power, questionable level of effort, and a 30 error glove. Rizzo might be a cornerstone if he hits. They have a bloated payroll, so I understand trying to unload. Travis Wood is developing nicely, but who couldn't use a LHSP...oh, I guess Fusty doesn't need one.

 

[JohnU]

LHSP ... we have three choices:

Joe Nuxhall
Don Gullett
Tom Browning

... that ought to hold you.