Matt Garza is on the trade block and the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are interested in acquiring his services, according to Ken Rosenthal.
Los Angeles currently ranks fifth in baseball in starter's ERA at 3.41, but 27th in wins at 19.
While there doesn't seem to be a need there, the Dodgers still aren't comfortable with their No. 4 and No. 5 starters.
Josh Beckett is on the disabled list and has struggled all year, while Stephen Fife (1-2, 3.25 ERA) and Chris Capuano (2-4, 4.09 ERA) have been largely unimpressive.
In the mind of the Dodgers, they need help there.
However, don't expect the Chicago Cubs to let Garza go for next to nothing. They're not just going to give him away.
Pitching and second base seem to be two of the biggest needs for the Cubs. The old saying goes, you can never have too much pitching. And Darwin Barney isn't the long-term answer at second.
So, what are possible avenues the Cubs could take? Keep in mind, the San Francisco Giants gave up highly-touted prospect Zack Wheeler in a deadline deal with the New York Mets.
The Giants wanted Carlos Beltran, even though he was a rental, and were willing to give up their top prospect.
A desperate team could be willing to do the same for Garza, although I don't think it will be the Dodgers. If one team thinks Garza can put them over the top, like the Giants did with Beltran, they'll pony up.
So, what could the Cubs reasonably get in return for Garza?
Los Angeles Dodgers
This could be the perfect trade to get Andre Ethier out of town. While the Cubs are seemingly set with outfield talent in the minor leagues, the fact remains only Brett Jackson is close to the big leagues.
Ethier could come in and slot behind Anthony Rizzo in the lineup.
The biggest question would be how much of Ethier's contract the Cubs would be willing to take on. He's owed $86.5 million over the next five years. The Cubs won't take on all of that. They may not even take on half of it.
However, if the Dodgers are willing to pay at least half of the rest of his salary, they could get Garza to help them make a playoff push.
They're currently eight games out in the NL West, but nobody has taken control of the division. It's still anybody's to win. And yes, that means the Dodgers as well.
San Diego Padres
Most people didn't think the Padres would only be three games out at this point in the season.
After all, they largely have the same team from last year that finished 10 games under .500, and 18 games back in the division.
However, they've managed to do well this year, despite the fact that they don't rank in the top 10 in any major offensive or pitching category as a team.
Somehow, they've always managed to find ways to win games. Part of the reason is they are 6-3 in extra-inning games, and 16-10 in one-run games.
San Diego ranks 25th in starter's ERA (4.53), 22nd in opponent's batting average (.264) and 26th in strikeouts (295).
Needless to say, starting pitching help is needed if they're going to make a run at the NL West.
The Padres could afford to give up prospects Cory Spangenberg (second base), and either right-handed starter Joe Ross or right-handed reliever Kevin Quackenbush.
With the numerous problems the Cubs have had in the bullpen, Quackenbush might be the better one to go with—although the Padres may be reluctant to part with a good bullpen arm.
Peter Gammons has also heard other rumors involving the Padres and Cubs.
GM rumors du jour:Garza to Padres(Reymond Fuentes, 2 other Hoyer/McLeod prospects), Nolasco to Giants.
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) June 24, 2013
Regardless, the Padres and Cubs could have a potential match in some way to send Garza out west.
Other teams could get in on the deal as it gets closer to the deadline.
Regardless, it's hard to see Garza staying in Chicago unless the Cubs feel a compensation pick is worth more than anything they get in return from another team.
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