The Chicago aren't going to compete for anything meaningful in 2012, so the trade rumors surrounding 28-year-old starter Matt Garza are sure to intensify as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches. It appears interest from around the league is beginning to grow. On Thursday Garza pitched against the Atlanta Braves -- going 4.0 innings and giving up five earned runs in a 7-3 loss -- and scouts for the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals were all in attendance, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports:
Teams that scouted Matt Garza last night, sources say: #BlueJays, #Indians, #Reds, #RedSox, #DBacks, #STLCards.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 6, 2012
Furthermore, Morosi notes that the Cubs have heavily scouted the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, although trade talks have not advanced very far with Detroit:
#Tigers have interest in Matt Garza.#Cubs recently scouted Detroit's prospect-heavy Erie affiliate. But talks not serious, sources say.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 6, 2012
Related: Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 4
Garza has been very solid for the Cubs since joining the team in 2011 via trade. He posted a 3.32 ERA and 2.95 FIP in 2011 and the 28-year-old has a 4.32 ERA and 4.38 FIP over 93.2 innings in 2012. He is third-year arbitration eligible in 2012 and will become a free agent after the 2013 season.
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