Sources have confirmed the Cubs are close to acquiring Rays pitcher Matt Garza for
five Minor League players, including 2010 Pitcher of the Year Chris
Archer and 2010 Player of the Year Brandon Guyer. The deal will be
finalized once the players undergo physicals.
The framework is in place for the multi-player swap in which Chicago
would get Garza in exchange for Archer, Guyer, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee,
catcher Robinson Chirinos and outfielder Sam Fuld. The Cubs also would
get two Minor League players from the Rays. According to the Arlington
Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, one of the players is outfielder Fernando
Perez, 27, who batted .234 in 107 big league
appearances. He hit .223 at Triple-A last year.
Team officials
would not confirm the trade. Earlier this week, the Chicago Sun-Times
reported the Cubs were close to acquiring Garza but both teams denied
anything was imminent. The Daily Herald reported Friday that a deal was
in the works and had the names.
– Carrie Muskat
