Report: Rangers close to acquiring Matt Garza from Cubs

Matt Garza is eligible for free agency at the end of this season. (David Banks/Getty Images)

The Rangers are closing in on acquiring right-handed pitcher Matt Garza from the Cubs, according to two officials with knowledge of the discussions per a FOX Sports report.

The deal could take place before Garza's next scheduled start on Monday.

The report notes that while the deal appears close, the Cubs have a recent history of having deals collapse at the last minute including a proposed trade of starting pitcher Ryan Dempster to Atlanta -- he ended up with the Rangers last season -- and reliever Carlos Marmol to the Angels.

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From FOX Sports:

The Cubs will receive a strong package of prospects for Garza, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, the officials said.

The Cubs and Rangers have discussed Texas prospects at various levels, including Single-A right-hander C.J. Edwards and Triple-A third baseman Mike Olt, sources said.

Edwards, who turns 22 on Sept. 3, is 8-2 with a 1.83 ERA at Single-A Hickory, with 122 strikeouts and 34 walks. Baseball America rated him the Rangers' 14th-best prospect at the start of the season.

The Rangers have long been considered front-runners for Garza, who is 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA in his past six starts, to bolster a rotation that has five starting pitchers on the disabled list in Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison, Colby Lewis, Alexi Ogando and Nick Tepesch. Despite their injury problems, the Rangers are 54-41 while sitting atop the AL Wild Card standings and are just two games back of the A's in the AL West.

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