Cubs hope to lock Garza up long-term

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The Cubs are going to try to work out a contract extension with Matt Garza.

There was talk of listening to trade offers for the 28-year-old pitcher, but the Cubs are hoping to turn Garza into a long-term asset.

"We have a good relationship with Matt," GM Jed Hoyer told Comcast SportsNet. "We need more Matt Garzas. We'll sit down to talk to him about a deal. We're hoping to get something worked out, but you never know and we'll keep it private when we do."

Garza, a former first-round pick, has been traded twice already in his young career. The Cubs acquired him last winter for five prospects. He responded by putting up a career-best 3.32 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 198 innings.

He has done his best to block out the trade rumors all winter.

"It's a huge compliment to be wanted by other teams, but at the same time, you want to be in Chicago to turn things around," Garza told Comcast SportsNet. "I fell in love with the city, the ballpark, the fans.

"This sport should be a family industry. It's like having a 9-to-5 job then. My big performance is by 1 p.m. and then I'm home having dinner with my kids by 5:30. I love being home with my kids. Getting to be with them is a huge plus."

Garza is set to hit free agency after the 2013 season and is flattered that the Cubs are interested in locking him up long term.

"It's awesome," he said. "What player doesn't want the front office to commit to them? For me, it's nothing but compliments. The way it goes is the way it goes. It'll be behind closed doors. It's huge for me. It would be huge for my family...I'm ready to help the Cubs win."

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