Trade Talk, Draft Talk, and More....

So the Yankees really want Matt Garza and are willing to outbid the Red Sox for him according to numerous sources. The Yankees are not the best match farm wise with the Cubs but they do have some good prospects such as Dellin Betances (struggling), Manny Banuelos (struggling), Gary Sanchez (mashing), and Mason Williams. But they also have some ML ready talent to offer such as Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova.

The Yankees like Ryan Dempster but prefer Garza because he is AL East battle tested.

I have talked to 3 MLB execs that say if the Red Sox want Dempster or Garza; Will Middlebrooks has to be involved.

The Cubs signed lefty reliever Hong-Chih Kuo to a minor league deal and will report to extended Spring Training. Kuo was an all-star reliever for the Dodgers in 2010.

Soriano sounded like he would waive his NTC according to his quote in the Sun-Times-

I’m 36 years old, so, yeah, I would like to have the opportunity to … if they want to trade me, I hope it is to a team that’s a contender because it’s about trying to go for that ring,” Soriano said before the Cubs’ third consecutive loss. “You want to feel good, feel like maybe you got a chance for that if we don’t have a chance here. But like I said, it depends on them. I don’t control the situation.”

• Javier Baez looks like the real deal. If you don’t believe me then read what CubsDen wrote.
• Ryan Dempster is gaining interest from the Braves according to sources.
• The Phillies have been scouting Bryan LaHair as a possible backup plan for Ryan Howard.
• It is widely expected for the Cubs to take either Albert Almora or Carlos Correa with the 6^th overall pick in the draft. I still think there is an outside chance that Kevin Gausman falls to them at 6^th.
• The Cubs have two picks in the sandwich round and here are 6 players to watch for those picks at 43 and 56.

=Ty Buttrey RHP from Providence High School

=Mitch Gueller RHP from WF West High School

=Shane Watson RHP from Lakewood High School – If the Cubs somehow get him along with Almora, Correa, or Gausman then mark this as a win for the Cubs draft.

=Lance McCullers RHP from Jesuit High School

=Nolan Sanburn RHP from Arkansas

=Freddy Avis RHP from Menlo High School

Until Next Time….