Cubs Interested In Matt Garza

9:54pm: The Cubs and Rays met again to talk about a potential trade that would send Garza to Chicago for prospects, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. The Brewers and Rangers have also met with the Rays about Garza, but the Cubs have the strongest current bid, according to Levine. However, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel hears that talks between the Rays and Brewers did not progress (Twitter link).

5:17pm: The Rays have been uninspired by the offers for Garza and may hold on to the right-hander until next summer, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).

10:40am: The Cubs are one of four teams in the mix for Rays righty Matt Garza, reports ESPN's Bruce Levine.  The Rays are interested in receiving prospects in return.

Garza, 27, would be the best available pitcher aside from Cliff Lee and Zack Greinke.  He posted a 3.91 ERA, 6.6 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, and 35.8% groundball rate in 204 2/3 innings this year.  Garza could earn $6MM+ in arbitration for 2011 and is under team control through '13.  As a Super Two, he'll go to arbitration four times.  Garza probably has a touch more trade value than Shaun Marcum did despite the higher salary, given the extra year of control.  We learned yesterday that Garza may also interest the Rangers and Brewers.

Levine also feels that the Cubs could still be a match for Chris Davis after the Carlos Pena signing, with the Rangers eyeing minor league catcher Robinson Chirinos.