Cubs trade prospects for Matt Garza

The Cubs have sent four prospects to the Tampa Bay Rays for the services of pitcher Matt Garza.

Would you give up Chris Archer, Hak-Ju Lee, Brandon Guyer and Robinson Chirinos to get Matt Garza. The Cubs are getting set to do just that, I’ve learned this morning. An announcement is not imminent for several reasons (physical exams, for one), but that is the package (based on several conversations with reliable sources I’ve had last night and early this morning) the Cubs will to give up to get what they believe is a No. 1 or No. 2 pitcher. I’ve also learned there may be additional parts to the deal for each team.

UPDATE: Sources tell me the Cubs will send outfielder Sam Fuld to the Rays and that the Rays will send OF Fernando Perez and another player to Chicago.

The rebuilding of the Rays continues. The pillaging by the Cubs also continues–as Garza becomes now the second Ray to join the Cubs this off-season with Carlos Pena becoming the other.

I had some boys who played summer baseball with Fernando Perez. I have some decent stories about him that I’ll save for a rainy day. I guess he’s heading to Chicago now as well. The Rays continue to get rid of the veteran players that helped them make a World Series run and stockpile young talent while the Cubs become the third team in the NL Central not named the Cincinnati Reds to become remarkably better.