Source: Cubs interested in Garza

December, 8, 2010
12/08/10
9:31
AM CT
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Chicago Cubs are in the mix for Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Matt Garza. They are one of four teams talking to Tampa about a trade for the arbitration-eligible starting pitcher, according to a major league source.

Garza was 15-10 in 2010 with a 3.91 ERA in 32 starts.

Tampa Bay is interested in prospects in return, according to a source. The Cubs are known to have met with Tampa during these meetings as have numerous other teams.

The Cubs have also continued to kick the tires on a trade with the Texas Rangers for first baseman/third baseman Chris Davis. Even with the signing of Pena, Davis could be a valuable player coming off the bench for the Cubs next season. Texas is interested in 27-year-old catcher Robinson Chirinos, who played at Double-A last season.

Also said to be in the mix in a Davis deal is right-handed pitcher Darren O'Day, a relief specialist who was 6-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 72 games with the Rangers in 2010.

The Cubs have also had conversations with the Detroit Tigers about trading pitchers for pitchers. Detroit has asked for left-hander Tom Gorzelanny while offering right-handed pitcher Armando Galarraga, best know for the 2010 perfect game that wasn't after a bad call by first-base umpire Jim Joyce. Galarraga season was less than stellar, going 4-9 with a 4.49 ERA last season.

Bruce Levine | email

Chicago baseball beat reporter
Bruce Levine has covered sports in Chicago for over 28 years and hosts "Talkin' Baseball," heard Saturday mornings on ESPN 1000.

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TEAM LEADERS

WINS LEADER
Paul Maholm
WINS ERA SO IP
4 4.73 27 45
OTHER LEADERS
BAS. Castro .313
HRB. LaHair 10
RBIS. Castro 25
RD. DeJesus 25
OPSB. LaHair 1.020
ERAR. Dempster 2.28
SOJ. Samardzija 57