According to multiple reports on Monday afternoon, the Cubs have traded Matt Garza to the Texas Rangers for 3B Mike Olt, RHP Justin Grimm, RHP C.J. Edwards and two players to be named later. The deal is not official and is pending physicals.
The Cubs have not announced the trade but have announced that Chris Rusin will be recalled and start on Monday night against the Diamondbacks.
With the additions of Justin Grimm and Mike Olt, the Cubs 40-man roster will stand at 40 players once the trade is made official.
The Cubs announced the trade at 6:15pm CDT – The Cubs acquired Mike Olt, Justin Grimm, C.J. Edwards and two players to be named later for Matt Garza. Olt and Grimm have been assigned to Triple-A Iowa and Edwards has been sent to Daytona.
Mike Olt and C.J. Edwards are thought to be the headliners of this deal. Olt has struggled this season after being seen as one of the top prospects in the game a year ago. Olt was hit in the head playing Winter Ball and suffered a concussion. Olt has been dealing with vision issues this season that have led to a down year. Olt did hit a pair of three-run homers against the Iowa Cubs over the weekend.
Mike Olt is 24 years old and hit .213/.317/.422/.739 in 65 games with Triple-A Round Rock. Olt hit 15 doubles with 11 home run.
Mike Olt’s Page on Baseball-Reference
C.J. Edwards is 21 years old. The right-handed pitcher has put up very good numbers in A-ball this season. In 93 1/3 innings, Edwards has struck out 122 batters with only 34 walks and 62 hits allowed.
C.J. Edwards’ Page on Baseball-Reference
Justin Grimm is seen as a fourth or fifth starter in a big league rotation but needs time to develop. Grimm was 7-7 in 17 starts for the Rangers with a 6.37 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. Grimm allowed 116 hits with 31 walks and 68 strikeouts in 89 innings. Grimm left his start on July 12 with right forearm stiffness but did not land on the DL.
Justin Grimm’s Page on Baseball-Reference
The Cubs will also receive a player to be named later in the trade. The list of players agreed upon by both teams is believed to include RHP Neil Ramirez.
From all indications this trade is done. Multiple outlets are reporting the trade.