Report: Red Sox Interested In Garza, But Not Dempster
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Red Sox don't have any interest in adding Chicago Cubs starter Ryan Dempster.
His teammate Matt Garza though, that's another story.
According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Red Sox are officially out of the running for Dempster, who is set to become a free agent after this season. They would much rather add Garza, who would be under their control through 2013 as an arbitration eligible player.
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The 28-year-old right-hander is 5-7 with a 4.02 ERA for the Cubs this season, and 57-61 with a 3.85 ERA for his career. His best season came in 2010 for the Tampa Bay Rays when he went 15-10 with a 3.91 ERA, striking out 150 batters in a career-high 204.2 innings.
Dealing for Garza won't be easy for Boston, as Theo Esptein will command the top price for him. Epstein, of course, also has a pretty intricate knowledge of Boston's farm system, having put most of it together the last nine years.
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The Red Sox' biggest need this season is in the rotation, with both Jon Lester and Josh Beckett (a combined 10-14) struggling at the front end. While Garza is no ace, he does have experience pitching in the AL East as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays from 2008-10.
The MLB trade deadline is July 31st at 4 pm.
