When we last left the Matt Garza Rumorwatch™, we had the exciting development of yet-more-teams (according to rumor) jumping into the Garza sweepstakes while others (according to rumor) dropped off.
Today brings some much-needed clarity, and also the name of a Cleveland Indians player specifically targeted in trade talks.
According to ESPNChicago's Bruce Levine, the Cubs have targeted Indians 3B Lonnie Chisenhall in trade talks, a request which likely expands the trade to multiple players being received by the Indians to compensate.
In addition, Levine states that Garza has now been told he's likely to be traded (duh), and that the final set of suitors are the Rangers, Indians, Dodgers, and Blue Jays.
Elsewhere, though, the Rangers are being reported as leading the pack for Garza's services. Per Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, the Rangers will send "a strong package of prospects" in exchange for Garza. The FOX Sports duo note that the Cubs in recent years have been close to a number of deals, just to see them collapse. So, there's that.
CBSSports.com's John Heyman offers up some names of who the Rangers might be dangling in exchange for Garza.
Meanwhile, USA Today's Ted Berg claims that Garza to the Pirates is "a deal that should happen", while Reds fans come to the conclusion that Ted Berg should just keep quiet. Also, for those looking for meaning in all this, Buster Olney writes about how the low returns for Garza show just how prized prospects (insider link) have become in an era of crazy MLB salaries.
So, wrapping up today's edition: The mass of analysts are saying something will happen soon, unless it collapses. And that it should be the Rangers, unless it's someone else.
That's about as clear as it's been this whole time. Which must mean we're drawing towards a conclusion.
