Those who are expecting Matt Garza to stay with the Cubs may want to re-think their stance.
A half-day after the Tigers were reported to have interest, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports writes the Miami Marlins are now interested in the 28-year-old starter. This coming after the Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays have all displayed varying levels of interest.
Rosenthal says the Marlins are looking to continue their active offseason by trying to add a complementary pitcher to ace Josh Johnson and top free-agent pickup Mark Buehrle.
After losing out to the division-rival Nationals for Gio Gonzalez, the Marlins may feel more pressure than ever to acquire another starter.
According to Rosenthal's sources, the Marlins are willing to give up Christian Yelich, one of their top prospects. Yelich, a 20-year-old outfielder, was the Marlins' first-round pick in the 2010 draft and put up monster numbers at Single-A in 2011, his first full season in pro ball.
The Marlins also may be willing to give up third baseman Matt Dominguez, first baseman Gaby Sanchez, outfielder Chris Coghlan and reliever Jose Ceda.
Not all of those guys would be in the deal for just Garza, obviously, but a package of several could be in the discussion.
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After the Cubs have traded for Ian Stewart, it would appear Dominguez is not too high on the team's wish list. But then again, if Stewart continues to struggle at the plate, it would help to have such a guy waiting in the wings. Dominguez could also use more seasoning in the minors.
Coghlan had a stud rookie season, but has dropped off the map since then, thanks in large part to a variety of injuries.
The Cubs have been linked to Sanchez already this offseason and he could be a good option as the first baseman of the future.
Ceda has only dabbled in the Majors, but dominated in the minors and at 24, could turn into a closer someday.
Yelich would be the main part of any deal, one would figure, as he seemingly has the highest upside of those players mentioned.
The problem with this all is the Cubs would be giving up by far their best pitcher and receive no starting pitching in return, if this report is accurate. That fact alone may mean it could be harder for the Marlins to acquire Garza, as it would put Theo Epstein and his crew in a tight spot pitching-wise both immediately and down the road.
Carlos Zambrano might be a better fit for Ozzie Guillen's Marlins if they're interested in one of the Cubs starters.