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Cubs' Garza takes a jab at Boston

There's definitely still some bad blood between former Ray Matt Garza and the Boston Red Sox.

For whatever reason, someone at Cubs camp decided to ask Matt Garza what he remembered about Theo's tenure as GM of the Sox.  And, well, the Globe's Amalie Benjamin is reporting that Garza provided this response:

"That I was able to kick the crap out of them every year, year in and year out, for the last three seasons. That's what I remember."

Touché, Matt.  That's pretty much what I remember too...

Despite the Sox knocking Garza around a bit in 2010 (5.14 ERA, .286 BAA), in 2009  Garza held the Sox to 13 runs over 42.2 innings with 38 K's.  Garza also beat the Sox twice in the 2008 ALCS, winning the crucial game 7.  Overall, he's 7-4 with a 3.63 ERA against Boston.  Which is why we couldn't have been happier to see him traded out of the AL East last offseason.

Other than the fact that it's fun to see a little passion in the early stages of Spring Training, this could come into play when if Selig ever decides on the proper compensation for Theo's departure.  While I seriously doubt that Garza is the guy the Cubs are going to have to part with, it's worth noting that they've just recently pulled him off the trading block. 

But if we do luck ourselves into Garza, a pitcher with not only some fire and a bit of an attitude, but some actual talent, may not be the worst thing to have in the clubhouse.  At least we'll have something to talk about other than fake and half-hearted apologies over something that happened half a year ago.

Your Morning Dump... Where Garza is still in play

Every morning we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

The Detroit Tigers have emerged as a suitor for Chicago Cubs starter Matt Garza.

Interest in Garza has picked up recently, major league sources say, and the Tigers are involved. Multiple teams are pursuing Garza aggressively, increasing the odds that the right-handed starter will be dealt before spring training.

The Boston Red Sox hope to add at least one starting pitcher and are fond of Garza, but they don’t have active trade talks with the Cubs right now, according to one source. It’s unclear if Boston has the prospects to swing a deal for Garza after using so much minor league depth to acquire relievers Andrew Bailey and Mark Melancon.

Fox Sports - Sources: Tigers join pursuit of Cubs’ Garza

It seems like everybody nowadays wants Garza, including everyone in the AL East; except his former team. 

In a fair and just world, the Cubs would have to move him to Boston for a couple spare parts.  You know, because they stole their President of Baseball Operations from us and have yet to give us anything in return.  At the minimum, Epstein should be worth a top-5 prospect or a couple top-10, which I'm sure the Cubs are trying to get for Garza (whether he's worth that is another discussion).  So the Red Sox shouldn't have to worry about having to part with one of the top few remaining prospects they have left.  Epstein should be the check in that box.

But it's not a fair world.  And the Cubs have been taking a huge dump on the Sox ever since they agreed to let Epstein move to Chicago.  It's apparent that once the Cubs get their team and farm system set for 2012, they'll figure out who doesn't fit into their long-term plans and flip them over to Boston.  We'll sit there and take it.  And to think, it wasn't that long ago people assumed the Cubs may have to part with Sterling Castro or Garza to bring Esptein onboard.  That the Sox ownership group was too strong and savvy for the Cubs.  Tom Ricketts is probably still laughing at that one.

So now we're left to watch the Cubs trade Garza back to the AL, where he'll surely dominate the Red Sox once again.  I just ask that they keep him out of the East.  If you can't give us anything for Epstein, you could at least do this small favor.

Rest of the links, or, Rich Hill links:

Herald - Mending Hill has high hopes for Sox bullpen | WEEI - Sources: Hill inks minor league deal with Sox | Globe - Red Sox sign Hill to minor league deal

Sox tried to get Garza

This shouldn't really shock anybody, considering his AL East pedigree, but in exchange for their GM, ESPN Chicago is reporting that the Red Sox asked the Cubs for starter Matt Garza.  The fact that the Cubs declined shouldn't shock you either.

I imagine the conversation was a quick one.

JOHN HENRY: "In exchange for Epstein, we demand Matt Garza."

TOM RICKETTS: "No."

ESPN is also reporting that compensation isn't the only detail still left to hammer out:

Aside from compensation, another hold-up in the negotiations is believed to be which front-office personnel Epstein can bring to Chicago, according to ESPNBoston.com, which reported that the Red Sox were not going to allow Epstein to take any members of his inner circle. That could have changed, however, during negotiations.

It feels like a.) these negotiations should have been over a week ago, and b.) Ricketts is surprisingly holding his own against Henry.

Neither side has any real leverage here.  The Sox could close the door on the Epstein courting and demand that he finish out his contract in Boston.  But this isn't a hollywood movie where he'd realize that his heart always belonged in Boston and sign an extension.  He'd go through the motions, the owners would have to keep a tight leash on him to ensure he didn't do something silly, and he'd bolt as soon as the clock struck midnight on the final day of the 2012 season.

The Cubs are in desperate need of Epstein.  They've been drooling over him for months.  The compensation that the White Sox got for Ozzie set a precedent that they'll have to part with something real for Epstein.  And the World Series could be over by next Monday.  While I'm sure Cherington is already scoping out his offseason plan, the Cubs are in a holding-pattern until this gets resolved.

It's time to just get the deal done so both franchises can turn their respective pages.  And if Theo has to build a new Circle of Trust, well, let's just say that I think I'd be right at home in Chicago.

Would you like one or two sugars in your coffee this morning, Mr. Epstein?

Matt Garza scratched

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Matt Garza will miss tonight's start against the Sox with Elbow stiffness. This is pretty good news for the Sox because Garza has pitched pretty damn well against the Sox in his career. As we pointed out in the series preview, Matt Garza has a 7-4 record against Boston, and 75 strikeouts, the most stikeouts against any of his opponents.

Lefty, James Russell will be taking Garza's spot tonight. Russell is 1-4 this season in 13 games (4 games started), with a 6.26 ERA, and 13 K's.

I know Russell is a lefty, but he sucks. He is not a strikeout pitcher, he has given up 30 hits and 18 runs in 23 innings, and is probably not conditioned correctly for a long start.

Tonight will be the battle of the spot starters, Russell vs. Wakefield. This might be a toss up. Get ready to see a lot of runs tonight.