"Even with Kerry Wood back in the fold, the Cubs' pitching drama remains centered on Matt Garza, whose future with the team has been the subject of much speculation.

''I really don't pay attention [to rumors],'' Garza said Friday. ''I got way too much going on. I work out about three to four hours a day, and then I got three kids, and only two of them go to school, so I'm busy, busy, busy. Most of my focus is getting ready for February.

''My name is in trade rumors every season, so it doesn't bother me. It's been a business. It's always going to be a business, and if things happen, they happen. But I'm happy where I'm at, and right now, I'm a Chicago Cub and I'll be pitching in Wrigley come April.''

Team president Theo Epstein continued to leave the question open.

''He's a pro. He's been traded before,'' Epstein said. ''He can handle situations like this. And I think through all of the media speculation, it's important to remember how big a part of this team he is. He's a rare, rare commodity. He's a top-of-the-rotation-type starter. He's proven it in the American League East. He proved it here last year in the National League Central. He's playoff-proven.

''He's a guy, when he has the ball, our team thinks we're going to win that day. That's important. You can't underestimate the impact of that on a ballclub.''"