The Chicago Cubs and right-hander Matt Garza are further apart on contract terms than was previously thought.

Initially, ESPNChicago.com and other outlets reported that Garza asked for $10.225 million in arbitration, while the Cubs countered at $7.95 million. That's a fairly large difference but not so great that the sides couldn't agree somewhere close to the middle before an arbitration hearing in February.

But Garza actually asked for $12.5 million, meaning that what was thought to be the highest number the pitcher could get ($10.225 million) is actually the midpoint.

Garza was 10-10 with a 3.32 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 31 starts last season for a struggling Cubs team and has been the subject of trade speculation this offseason. ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney hypothesizes that the uncertainty over what will happen in arbitration could be scaring off potential suitors.