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Matt Garza News & Rumors

Matt Garza not himself as Cubs fall to Astros
May 22
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"First the Cubs get swept by the White Sox. Now they can't find Matt Garza. "That was not Matt Garza pitching,'' manager Dale Sveum said after the Cubs' best pitcher had one of his worst outings with the team in an 8-4 loss Monday to the Houston Astros. "I don't know. It was strange. So many offspeed pitches and breaking balls.'' Trying hard to stop the Cubs' weeklong skid — maybe too hard, he said — Garza struggled with his power pitches and gave up three-run homers to Jason Castro and Chris Johnson in consecutive innings. He lasted only three innings, his second-shortest outing in 39 starts as a Cub, and gave up seven runs, his most with the team."
Cubs lose 7th straight game; Garza gets knocked out early
May 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"Forget about a win. What does a team have to do to get a lead? With Matt Garza turning in his worst start in the National League, it probably wouldn't have mattered if Tony Campana had scored after stealing second and third base in the first inning Monday night. But at least that would have stopped the streak within a streak for the Cubs, who are playing like they are on their way to the first pick in the 2013 draft. Three-run homers by Jason Castro and Chris Johnson off Garza carried the Astros to an 8-4 victory, extending the Cubs' losing streak to seven games before 16,895 at Minute Maid Park. They haven't led a game in 50 innings, and have been tied in only four of the last 36 innings,"
Garza: 'I told you guys I could throw to first'
May 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Chicago Cubs had some early work on the field Thursday at Wrigley Field: Position players were practicing their bunting, as manager Dale Sveum hinted would happen after several poorly executed bunts in St. Louis on Monday and Tuesday. During the drills, Cubs pitcher Matt Garza practiced fielding bunts and throwing to first, a recurring problem this season, particularly Wednesday night when he made two terrible throws to first on Juan Pierre bunts. The team psychologist, Dr. Marc Strickland, was involved in the workouts wearing Cubs' sweats, observing Garza's throws from a few feet away with his arms crossed."
Matt Garza solid again, but Cubs' bullpen implodes again
May 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"During a game this spring against the Colorado Rockies between starts, Matt Garza was at the end of the dugout with a group of Cubs prospects who seemed to be doing more laughing than watching the game. Garza looked at minor-league left-hander Jeff Beliveau and asked him if he knew anything about the lefty hitter who was batting for the Rockies. ''No,'' Beliveau said. ''Then you better start paying attention and watch this guy,'' Garza told him, ''because when you get up here, this is the guy you're going to be facing.''"
Cubs again let down hard-luck starter
May 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"Matt Garza walked off the mound with his glove covering his face Wednesday night, leaving his legion of lip readers guessing once again. The Cubs' most consistent starter over the last two seasons was removed in the seventh inning of a tie game despite allowing two or fewer runs for the sixth time in his seven starts. With light-hitting outfielder Juan Pierre at the plate and a man on first with two outs, Garza was pulled in favor of left-hander James Russell, who eventually got out of the inning unscathed."
Matt Garza holds key for Cubs' rebuilding efforts
May 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Is the Cubs' pitching staff actually as good as it has looked the last three weeks? Is its recent success, particularly from the starters, a sign of what could be building on the North Side in the next few years? The answers to both questions start with the guy trying to pitch the Cubs out of last place Friday in Milwaukee. It's easy to forget that with the majors' best team ERA since April 21 (2.51) — a stretch that includes three series wins against —division leaders — the Cubs are still in last place."
Flu symptoms force Garza to skip start
May 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs clubhouse is not the place for germophobes. A flu-like virus, apparently first contracted by pitcher Scott Maine before his return to the minors, is making the rounds and the most notable victims are Matt Garza and Jeff Baker. Garza will have his turn in the rotation skipped, with Travis Wood called up to start against the Dodgers on Sunday. Garza now is scheduled to face the Brewers on Friday in Milwaukee. "He's pretty down-and-out, pretty sick," manager Dale Sveum said. Garza originally was to start Saturday, then had it pushed back to Sunday."
Matt Garza dominant in Cubs' victory over Phillies
April 30
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"These are the kinds of starts that feed the visions. And the beast. Visions of right-hander Matt Garza as one of the elite pitchers in the game. Visions of Game 1 starts in the playoffs. The beast is the nine-figure contract the Cubs or some other team will wind up paying if he keeps this up. Neither side will talk about negotiations on a possible contract extension for Garza, who had no-hit stuff in the Cubs' 5-1 victory Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. But how those negotiations play out will say more about what the front office thinks the Cubs' timeline is for contending again than anything Garza (2-1, 2.67 ERA) can do on the mound — unless he pitches like he did Sunday every"
Cubs' Garza limits Phillies to 1 hit in 7 shutout innings
April 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"Three Cubs converged in short right field on Jimmy Rollins' fly ball leading off the first inning Sunday afternoon, watching it fall between them for a bloop single. But Matt Garza wouldn't allow another hit the rest of the afternoon, throwing seven shutout innings and facing only 22 batters in a 5-1 win over the Phillies. It was the most dominant outing of the year by a Cubs starter, and perhaps Garza's finest performance in a Cubs uniform."
Bats slumber, frustration boils over as Cubs tumble to 3-9
April 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"After disappearing into the tunnel behind the Cubs' dugout in the sixth inning Wednesday night, pitcher Matt Garza quickly returned just long enough to grab a bat and head back down the stairs and out of sight. Without surveillance video immediately available, about the only thing anybody could say with confidence is that bat did more damage in a matter of minutes than the rest of the Cubs' bats have done in close to two weeks. "It's tough for these starting pitchers to know they have to be perfect all the time,'' manager Dale Sveum said after the Miami Marlins sent the Cubs to a 9-1 loss, assuring a sixth consecutive lost series dating to last season."
Buehrle has Cubs' number
April 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"After being removed in the sixth inning of Wednesday night's 9-1 loss to the Marlins, Cubs starter Matt Garza grabbed a bat in the dugout as he headed toward the clubhouse. There was no telling whether designers had Garza-proofed the spanking new visitors' quarters at Marlins Park so everyone feared the worst. "He thought he was going to hit," manager Dale Sveum cracked. "He was going to get some swings down in the tunnel there.""
Theo Epstein says season won't dictate Matt Garza's future
April 13
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Games like this provide insight into the blueprint the Cubs' regime is using for its redesign. Matt Garza allowed three hits and struck out nine as the Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-0 to avoid a four-game sweep. Garza missed a complete game only because he rocket-launched a throw to first on a play that otherwise would have ended the game. He was pulled because he had thrown 119 pitches. The performance salvaged a 2-5 homestand to start a season of great change. But for anybody who believes the fortunes and inevitable misfortunes in the first season under Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer will have any bearing on the Cubs' intentions with Garza, Epstein offered a one-word answer: ''No.''"
Some positive signs for Cubs
April 13
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"There's no bad time to dominate a game. But the Cubs badly needed their best pitcher to slam the door Thursday, and that's exactly what mini-volcano Matt Garza did for them. I asked Garza if he had felt this would be a big start for him because his team had been playing "OK'' but was one loss away from a 1-6 start if the Brewers had completed a four-game sweep. "I beg to differ,'' Garza said. "We have been playing real well. A couple of nights we didn't have the breaks. I'll take the way we're playing now. … We're playing good baseball.''"
Garza extra sharp in 8-0 victory over Brewers
April 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"So this was the way it was supposed to go when the new regime was making plans for its first Cubs team: Good pitching and timely, if very light, hitting, preferably both components together in one game. In their fourth try against the defending National League Central champion Brewers, the Cubs finally got it right. They got the pitching — 82/3 innings of three-hit ball from Matt Garza — and the hitting — six runs on seven hits in the third inning all in one day for an 8-0 victory that was impressive even if they still are three games behind the World Series champion Cardinals."
Garza dominates as Cubs bats come alive
April 12
MLB.com
 
"Matt Garza was oh, so close. With two outs and two strikes on Brewers pinch-hitter Norichika Aoki in the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs right-hander got a comebacker to the mound. Garza fielded, turned and fired the ball ... into the stands. "I saw [Cubs first baseman Bryan] LaHair go and I went, 'Son of a gun,'" Garza said. Cubs manager Dale Sveum exited the dugout, replacing Garza after 119 pitches and 8 2/3 shutout innings -- one out away from what would have been the Garza's first shutout since his July 2010 no-hitter."
Garza's hard luck continues
April 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Here's a thought that's almost as frightening as the Cubs bullpen entering a game: The Cubs' three-four-five starters are waiting their turns. No, they haven't appeared in a game yet. And yes, the cast has changed. But last year the three spots were a combined 26-41 with a 5.36 ERA. Will things be different when Jeff Samardzija, Chris Volstad and Paul Maholm finally pitch? Given the bullpen troubles, it may not make much difference. So far the front end of the rotation has pitched right to form, with opening day starter Ryan Dempster and Saturday starter Matt Garza combining for three runs in 132/3 innings. They should be 2-0 but instead have nothing except pats on the back."
Future starts here as Matt Garza takes ball for Cubs
April 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It might as well be Opening Day all over again for the Cubs when Matt Garza makes his season debut Saturday. And it's not just because of how nice a do-over might sound to them after Thursday's wrenching finish in a 2-1 loss to the visiting Washington Nationals. It's more about what this season means to Garza's future — and definitely what Garza might mean to the Cubs' future. More than six weeks ago, as spring training opened, general manager Jed Hoyer made it clear the Cubs considered Garza the kind of young, front-line pitcher they want to build around and said he expected to meet with Garza's agent, Nez Balelo, by the end of camp regarding a possible contract extension. Neither side"
Staying on emotional edge part of Garza's game plan
April 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Matt Garza has taken over Carlos Zambrano's old locker in the Cubs clubhouse. It seems appropriate, as Garza also rivals Big Z when it comes to wearing his emotions on his sleeve. Unlike Zambrano, Garza has been able to keep himself on the edge during the heat of competition, instead of going ballistic and hurting the team. "That's part of the equation," President Theo Epstein said. "He embraces the competitive aspects of the game and doesn't try to pretend it's just another day. He needs his music and his time to himself, and he brings a lot to the table. He walks sort of a fine line between (being) in control and out of control, but that works for him emotionally." Garza makes his first"
Cubs' Garza not fazed by naysayers
April 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs may be the first team to be mathematically eliminated before the season begins. Impossible, of course, but that's seemingly the way most fans and experts are looking at the Cubs' upcoming season: Dead on arrival. Cubs pitcher Matt Garza has one word for the doubters. "Awesome," he said Sunday after his final start, throwing against Angels minor leaguers at Fitch Park. Speaking for his teammates, Garza said the skeptics don't "faze us" in the least."
Garza wins before Cubs' opening day pitcher named
March 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"Matt Garza made his final start Thursday before the Chicago Cubs announce who will be their opening-day starter against the Nationals. Manager Dale Sveum said the suspense would end Friday, a "contest" generally believed to be between Garza and Ryan Dempster, who pitched the opener last year. Garza faced the Rangers on Thursday and allowed three unearned runs in five innings in an 11-4 victory. He struck out three and walked three."
Matt Garza sees 'special stuff' in Cubs
March 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Don't believe the Cubs have much of a season waiting for them in less than three weeks? Join the not-very-exclusive club. But two players who figure to have the most to say about that don't want to hear it. In fact, Matt Garza seemed a little chapped at that commercial poking fun at the Cubs' 103-year-old drought. It showed realistic images of a Cubs championship celebration only to reveal in the end that it was just a video game. ''I just want to get the thing going,'' Garza said. ''PlayStation made fun of us the other day with their commercial with the Cubs fan crying. But there's special stuff going on in here, man. You never know. This s--- could be reality pretty soon.'' Garza's"
Garza likes 'special stuff' going on with Cubs
March 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"A video game ad that features a Cubs fan dreaming of the team winning a World Series, only to have reality slap him in the face, has been something of an inspiration to Matt Garza. "I just want to get this thing going," Garza said Friday after making his third spring start. "(The ad) made fun of us — the Cubs fan crying. But there's special stuff going on here, man. "You never know. That stuff can be reality pretty soon. It's a pretty good feeling." Whether the Cubs have the horses to pull off a miracle in their first season under Dale Sveum remains to be seen. They had the second-worst spring ERA in the majors heading into Friday's game, but Sveum's system seems to be working. "The big"
Righty Matt Garza's a rah dealer for Cubs
March 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Friends of Matt Garza from his Tampa Bay days say there was a point last season when the up-tempo Cubs pitcher was disappointed, maybe even irritated, at being asked by the team to tone down his loud and hyperactive cheering and yelling in the dugout on the days he didn't start. ''I took it into consideration,'' Garza said Tuesday of the behavior that, among other things, made him a fan favorite. ''We talked plenty about it last year,'' he said. ''It takes awhile to get used to me. I'm real high-energy and go-go-go. Sometimes it comes off like I don't take it seriously and stuff like that, but as soon as they figure out how I was, everybody got used to it. And everybody knows how serious I"
Garza and Sveum getting to know each other
March 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"For decades fans have wondered what it would be like if the Cubs ever won a World Series. Now a commercial for a Playstation 3 video game envisions the moments immediately after the final pitch of the Cubs clinching their first championship in more than a century. It's not until the end that the viewer discovers the celebration was a mirage — a video simulation of the event of a lifetime."
Garza's intensity nothing like Zambrano's
March 1
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"Every now and then, Cubs pitcher Matt Garza's competitive drive leads him down the wrong path far enough that his catcher starts talking about cars. "I get creative on the mound because he can be pretty emotional,'' Geovany Soto said Wednesday. "It's a challenge. Say there are two on, two out in the sixth, I'll go out and ask Matt about a 1960 Camaro just to get his mind off the field for a second and recompose." Or sometimes Soto takes a cue from Garza's killer stare and just shuts up. "Matt's emotion is not all negative,'' Soto said. "He'll get that look in his eye that says, 'I'm coming after you.' It's bad news for the hitter.''"
A year later, what was point of Garza trade?
February 27
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"With a strong breeze blowing through the pine trees and palmetto bushes, the Tampa Bay Rays walked out of their clubhouse and down a stone path, headed toward back diamonds for practice. They walked alone or in groups of twos and threes, and, to be fair, they weren't all former Cubs. Only half of them. OK, not really. But the five guys who Jim Hendry sent to Tampa Bay for Matt Garza are conspicuously on display for a team that is successfully mixing a small budget with big expectations."
Without a trade, Matt Garza finds himself in Cubs' starring role
February 20
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It was like Wal-Mart on Black Friday when the Cubs' clubhouse opened to media for the first time Sunday morning, with a throng of reporters surging toward Matt Garza's locker and surrounding him. ''What'd you do?'' bemused and nosy closer Carlos Marmol called from across the room. ''You get traded or something?'' Not exactly. Not yet, anyway. And as much as anything else, that was the point Sunday at Fitch Park as Cubs pitchers and catchers held the first official workouts of spring training. Sporting a new number (Mark Prior's old No. 22) and a new role as staff ace (if not veteran leader), Garza opened his second spring with the Cubs also sporting a look of confident satisfaction at the"
Fun-loving Garza happy to be pitching for Cubs
February 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"After he was dealt to the Cubs last year, it didn't take Matt Garza long to get comfortable in his new surroundings. "I don't think it was my comfort level, I think it was more everybody getting comfortable with me," Garza said. "I think everybody figured out what I was all about, and just that I love playing, I love being here, love having fun … that's the way it should be. "I'm real upbeat, win or lose. Yeah, I take it personal, but I do it on my own time. There's no reason anybody needs to see me (ticked) off. They got used to me. They knew it wasn't an act.""
After gauging his trade value, Cubs seem ready to make Matt Garza a long-term investment
February 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs don't know what their roster's going to look like two or three years from now. But they know where they want to start. And it's the same way they figure to start their opener this season: with Matt Garza. After exploring Garza's trade value this winter — then narrowly avoiding salary arbitration — the Cubs say they plan to start talks this spring on a possible long-term deal for their top pitcher. It was the most specific sign yet of the organization-building vision new president Theo Epstein and his crew have in mind as they opened their first spring training in charge Saturday at Fitch Park. And it might even suggest a perceived timeline for contending again."
Garza and Cubs avoid arbitration with 1-year deal
February 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"When Matt Garza and the Cubs avoided Friday's arbitration hearing with a morning settlement of $9.5 million, it left the newly frugal Cubs with only two players making more than $10 million. Only Alfonso Soriano ($18 million) and Ryan Dempster ($14 million) are above that mark, if you don't count Carlos Zambrano, for whom the Cubs are paying $16.5 million to pitch for the Marlins. Yes, the Cubs clearly are rebuilding for a big run at the future, with their estimated $134 million payroll of last season being pared down to about $100 million this year and it could be less for 2013 when Dempster's deal is done. Garza, who had sought $12.5 million in arbitration against the Cubs' offer of"
Garza, Cubs settle at $9.5 million
February 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs and pitcher Matt Garza avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $9.5 million contract just before they were to go through the arbitration process Friday morning. Garza, who was 10-10 with a 3.32 ERA in hist first season as a Cub, had been seeking $12.5 million and the Cubs had offered $7.95. Garza's new deal also includes performance bonuses."
ALCS ring stolen from home of Cubs' Garza
February 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"A 2008 American League Championship Series ring was among the items stolen from the home of Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza during a burglary in Fresno County in California. Garza was the MVP of the 2008 ALCS for the Tampa Bay Rays, twice beating the Boston Red Sox. The Fresno County Sherriff's Office valued the ring at $30,000."
Six Cubs avoid arbitration; Matt Garza still unsigned
January 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs reached agreement on 2012 contracts with six of their seven arbitration-eligible players by the deadline for filing arbitration figures Tuesday. Only Matt Garza, who made $5.95 million last season, didn't come to terms. Garza, who went 10-10 with a 3.32 ERA last season, filed an ­arbitration figure of $10.225 million; the Cubs' countered with $7.95 million."
Garza lone arbitration holdout for Cubs
January 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs avoided going to arbitration with six of their seven eligible players, with pitcher Matt Garza the lone holdout at Tuesday night's deadline. Garza will seek $10.225 million from an arbiter, while the Cubs have offered $7.950 million. The two sides still could agree on a midpoint before the case is heard. Last season, Garza avoided arbitration after his trade to the Cubs, agreeing to pitch for $5.95 million. He was 10-10 in his first season on the North Side."
Matt Garza too busy to think about trade
January 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"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"
Epstein isn't pushing Garza out the door
January 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Despite being open all winter about the Cubs' willingness to listen to offers for top pitcher Matt Garza, team president Theo Epstein said Wednesday that he expects the right-hander to be in the Cubs' opening rotation this season. ''I can truly say more has happened in the media with this than has happened in reality,'' said Epstein, who also says he has kept Garza's agents ''updated every step of the way'' on would-be trade talks. ''There's no attempt to shop him. As we do with all our players, we're going to weigh all our options to see what's best for the Cubs.''"
Tigers in discussions regarding Matt Garza
January 10
Detroit News
 
"A report on CSN Chicago claims the Tigers and Cubs are "down the road in discussions" concerning Cubs right-hander Matt Garza. David Kaplan writes "talks have progressed far beyond the initial stages." Kaplan mentions Jacob Turner, 20, the right-hander Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said he was not looking to trade. He also mentions Casey Crosby, 23, a left-hander who was 9-7 with a 4.10 ERA at Double-A Erie last season. Crosby is from Maple Park, Ill., near Chicago."
Don't put out the welcome Matt for Garza just yet
January 2
ESPN.com
 
"The Yankees have been mentioned as prominent players in the scramble to obtain Matt Garza from the Cubs, who have made it clear they are open for business on the 28-year-old righthander. But the word out of Yankeeville-- also known this winter as The Land of No -- is that the asking price is out of the question. The problem is not money this time, at least not immediately -- Garza will make about $8 million this year and is not eligible for free agency for two more season -- but prospects; like everyone else in baseball, the Cubs are demanding at least two, and possibly all three, of the Yankees Holy Trinity of Jesus Montero, Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances."
Sources: Tigers join pursuit of Cubs' Garza
December 31
Foxsports.com
 
"The Detroit Tigers have emerged as a suitor for Chicago Cubs starter Matt Garza. Interest in Garza has picked up recently, major league sources say, and the Tigers are involved. Multiple teams are pursuing Garza aggressively, increasing the odds that the right-handed starter will be dealt before spring training. The New York Yankees are interested in Garza, but one source said they are not currently engaged because of the Cubs' asking price. Garza's rising salary — likely more than $8 million in 2012, with another year of salary arbitration thereafter — could become problematic because of the Yankees' proximity to the luxury-tax barrier. However, unlike many available pitchers, Garza"
Hot stove about to get red hot
December 17
Foxsports.com
 
"Marlon Byrd, CF: There hasn't been much trade buzz surrounding Byrd, which is hard to figure. Byrd is entering the last year of his contract, and prospect Brett Jackson should be ready to start in center field for the Cubs in 2013. The Nationals, looking far and wide for an everyday center fielder, could be a fit; Washington has good organizational pitching depth, which is precisely what the Cubs need. The Marlins are an intriguing possibility, if they trade Hanley Ramirez and move Emilio Bonifacio to third base. The Reds, Giants, Cardinals and Mariners could upgrade in center field this offseason. Matt Garza, RHP: Few available pitchers can match Garza's track record in the American"
Matt Garza's fate will signal Cubs' direction
December 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Are the Cubs willing to trade their best pitcher, Matt Garza, this winter? That's one of the more popular Cubs rumors making the rounds. They are if somebody is willing to part with a lode of impressive young talent. More likely, the Cubs, who have two more arbitration years of control over Garza, will rebuild their mostly rag-tag starting rotation around him and Ryan Dempster in 2012. If anything, they'll gauge the market for him near the trading deadline, when they'll know more about just how far they are from contending again."
Trading Garza not on Epstein's mind
December 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Matt Garza's name has surfaced in trade rumors recently because he's one of the few bargaining chips the Cubs have in trying to resuscitate an otherwise lifeless team. But Cubs president Theo Epstein didn't sound like someone who was in a hurry to deal his best starter for inventory. "He is exactly the type of guy we'd like to build around," Epstein said Thursday at Wrigley Field. Whether Epstein can afford to build around Garza is a question he's asking himself before the Winter Meetings begin on Monday in Dallas. General manager Jim Hendry dealt four of his top prospects to Tampa Bay last January in the Garza trade, depleting the system for the possibility of contending in 2011."
Rangers could be in on Matt Garza
November 24
Dallas Morning News
 
"When the Rangers committed more than $7 million to closer Joe Nathan next year and moved Neftali Feliz into the rotation, most took it as a sign that C.J. Wilson's time in Arlington was over. And while that still could be true, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal thinks the Rangers will still remain active when it comes to acquiring starting pitcher. Rosenthal said on Twitter Tuesday that the Rangers "can't be ruled out on starters," and named Matt Garza as a possible target."
Report: Sox wanted Matt Garza
October 18
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox [team stats] and Cubs still are trying to wrap up the Theo Epstein compensation talks before first pitch of tomorrow's World Series. Today is still the goal, a source close to the talks said, but reaching it is by no means certain. If there is no resolution, the sides can continue to speak while baseball is played and eventually can make an announcement that the transaction is complete after the World Series. According to reports from Comcast Chicago yesterday, the Red Sox started to focus their attention on 22-year-old right-hander Trey McNutt, who is one of the Cubs' top pitching prospects."
Source: Red Sox wanted Matt Garza
October 17
ESPN.com
 
"The Boston Red Sox initially wanted Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza to be included as compensation for general manager Theo Epstein, but the Cubs refused, according to major league sources. Talks began a week ago, after Epstein and the Cubs agreed in principle to a five-year deal worth between $15-20 million, sources said. Recently the teams have been discussing minor leaguers as compensation, according to the sources."
Garza's finish gives hope for 2012
September 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Matt Garza was good to the last drop this season, consistently turning out good performances without being rewarded with victories. The Cubs finally came through for Garza on Tuesday, as Alfonso Soriano's three-run homer in the eighth inning led them to a 6-2 comeback win. Garza ended the season with a 10-10 record and a 3.32 earned-run average, the lowest among Cubs' starters. "He's been so good for us the whole year," Soriano said."
Garza, Cubs delay Brewers' pennant drive
September 22
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"The hopes and desires of a team's fan base don't always match the wishes of players and club officials. The Milwaukee Brewers wanted to get this clinching stuff done by now. Many of their fans wanted to see them do it at home so they could join the party. Brewer Nation gets its wish, assuming, of course, the club is ready to wrap up its first NL Central crown. "That's the silver lining," said team owner Mark Attanasio, who dropped in at Wrigley Field on Wednesday to watch the Brewers get handcuffed, 7-1, by right-hander Matt Garza and the Chicago Cubs."
Garza pitches Cubs to 4-3 win over Reds
September 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"Due to September call-ups, the Reds had 34 players, including a 13-man bullpen this afternoon as they faced the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Cubs went with 26- the regular roster plus call-up Bryan LaHair, who starts at first base. Manager Mike Quade will get a few more call-ups on Tuesday. Andrew Cashner was added to the roster on Monday, but was not available to pitch. Asked if he likes the expanded rosters, Quade said he enjoys having more options on his bullpen. "I don't know about 34," he said. "But it's nice to have a larger group.""
Cubs' Matt Garza's pitching not a problem; his defense must improve
August 31
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"How good can Cubs right-hander Matt Garza get by next season? The answer might have a disproportionate bearing on the Cubs' ability to compete in 2012. And it might start with what happens after he lets go of the ball. Garza leads major-league pitchers with seven errors. Consequently, he leads the National League with 14 unearned runs allowed. That ranks second to the Minnesota Twins' Nick Blackburn (17) in the majors. ''We talked a few weeks ago about that becoming a huge part of where he goes,'' Cubs manager Mike Quade, who sat down with Garza a few days ago about that and other topics, said last weekend. ''We know about his stuff. And we've seen him pitch some unbelievable ballgames."