The All Star break has come and gone with very little happening on the trade front, apparently teams are waiting for the first big deal to get done before a flurry of activity as July comes to a close. With the addition of a second wild card it may just be that there are so many teams that think they are still in the race that no one is willing to give up players.
Thankfully there are a few teams definitely out of the race. One of those is the Chicago Cubs who also happen to have what looks like the best pitcher on the market prior to the deadline. Confirming what everyone had already assumed ESPN Chicago reports that Matt Garza will be traded by the north siders.
"They told my agent [earlier in the week] that they were going to move me," Garza said. "They said as much as they like me they need to add inventory for the future. I want to stay, but that doesn't seem possible now."
One has to wonder if the Cubs will have to lower their asking price, which is said to be very high, now that it appears that they are committed to getting rid of Garza. Ken Rosenthal from Fox Sports says that the Rangers and Cubs are getting very close to a deal for Garza. The Dodgers are also thought to have some interest in the pitcher, even after picking up Ricky Nolasco, according to Fox Sports.
Once Garza gets traded the next most likely pitcher to go is Bud Norris from the Houston Astros. Norris is young, 28, and has a 3.63 ERA playing in a home ballpark only slightly larger than a wiffle ball field. Although, much like the Cubs with Garza, teams seem to be reluctant to pay the price that the Astros are looking for. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the price tag for Norris is two top prospects.
"Garza is the biggest immediate impact guy and Norris is the best long value guy," a GM told CBS Sports.
It wouldn't be a trade rumor article without mentioning the Yankees, now would it? There is speculation that the Yankees might be in the market for Twins slugger Justin Morneau, according to Bleacher Report. Morneau is a free agent next year which means that the Twins are probably unlikely to be able to keep him around. He is having a decent year, nothing like what he did 5 years ago, but he would definitely be an upgrade over whatever spare part the Yankees are playing right now. Morneau's power numbers have shrunk and his amount have strikeouts has increased, his current OPS of .737 is the worst he's ever had in a non-injury year, but he's still a good player. Plus, as a lefty, his power numbers should go up considerably playing in Yankee Stadium.
