Friday, Jan. 7, 2011
10:14 AMUpdated 11:12 AM
By David Kaplan
CSNChicago.com
The Cubs made a move to shore up their rotation by trading five prospects for Tampa Bay Rays starter Matt Garza. The 27-year-old Garza comes at a very high price as the Cubs will send four of their better prospects to acquire a pitcher that many in baseball believe will be one of the game's elite over the next few years.
Sources tell CSN that the Cubs and Rays have consummated an eight-player deal that will send pitcher Chris Archer, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, outfielder Brandon Guyer, catcher Robinson Chirinos, and minor league outfielder Sam Fuld to to the Rays for Garza and two prospects.
Two major league scouts I just spoke with believes that the Cubs made a very astute deal because none of the prospects are superstar level guys. "Sure the Cubs gave up a lot to land Garza who is not yet a star. However, he is on the path to being a dominant starter plus he is under the Cubs control for three more seasons Those types of guys come at a very high price. None of the players that the Cubs gave up are elite. Good players yes. Elite? No."
Jim Kallis, a Minor League expert from Baseball America agrees.
"Chris Archer is a very good prospect with excellent upside. Lee, Guyer, Chirinos are all nice players. Sam Fuld is ajourneyman. Garza has a chance to be a No. 1 starter. I like the dealfrom a Chicago perspective a lot."
MLB
Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospect also likes the deal and told me, "The Cubs gave up some good players and depth, but did not give up any elite stars. Garza is 27-years-old, is injury free and has the potential to be a No. 1 starter. Plus, you have him under cost control for three years. That's a very impressive trade by Jim Hendry."
Stayed tuned for more on this developing story and watch Chicago Tribune Live tonight at 5:30 p.m. for the latest.
David Kaplan is the host of Chicago Tribune Live on Comcast SportsNet. Follow him on Twitter @thekapman.