Chicago Cubs President of Basball Operations Theo Epstein has been active since taking control of organizational operations several months ago, and has not been afraid to shake up the roster, but he insists the Matt Garza trade rumors are nothing more than a product of the media at the moment. The Cubs acquired Garza via trade approximately one year ago from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for several top prospects as a part of former GM Jim Hendry's plans, but now the Cubs have reversed paths and focused more on collecting prospects than shipping them out under Esptein's direction. However, Patrick Mooney of CSN-Chicago relays some key quotes from Epstein on the Garza chatter:
"Let's try to downplay this. I can truly say more has happened in the media with this than has happened in reality. It's not been an everyday (thing). There's no attempt to shop him. As we do with all our players, we're going to weigh all our options to see what's best for the Cubs. I think very highly of Matt Garza. I think he's a top-of-the-rotation-type guy and I'm looking forward to him being on the mound for us this season"
The market could still shift on Garza and present Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein with a deal they simply can't refuse, but at the moment there is no need for the Cubs to panic and make a deal just to make one. If nothing comes along worthwhile, Epstein seems perfectly content to keep Garza at the top of his rotation to open the 2012 season.
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