The Braves are "among the many teams expected to show interest in Cubs closer Kevin Gregg," writes MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Bowman notes that the righty closed for current Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez when both were with the Marlins in 2007-08. Gregg is just one of many relievers the Braves may be looking at as they pursue veteran help with Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters out for the season.

Gregg, 35, has become an unlikely asset for the Cubs, returning to their closer role and posting a 1.42 ERA, 9.2 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 0.71 HR/9, and 36.5% groundball rate in 25 1/3 innings. He's proof of the volatility of relievers. In March, ESPN Los Angeles' Mark Saxon wrote that Gregg "quietly stewed" over the fact that he couldn't find a Major League deal in the offseason coming off a 2012 campaign in which he posted a 4.95 ERA and 1.5 K/BB ratio in 43 2/3 frames for the Orioles. He signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers, who couldn't find a spot on their big league pitching staff due to their starter surplus and released him. He then signed a minor league deal with the Cubs, who selected his contract in a mid-April bullpen shakeup.

It's a little early for a clear picture of Gregg's market, but the Braves, Reds, Red Sox, Tigers, and Padres are likely to be on the hunt for bullpen help. The Cubs and Braves hooked up on a notable trade near the deadline last year, with Chicago shipping veterans Paul Maholm and Reed Johnson to Atlanta for prospects Arodys Vizcaino and Jaye Chapman.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Cubs righthander Matt Garza, who may be the best active pitcher currently available in trade, is drawing considerable interest from both leagues and both coasts.

The Orioles, Rangers, Giants, Padres and Dodgers are all said by sources to have varying degrees of interest, with the Red Sox, Blue Jays and several others seen as possibilities.

Garza and Marlins ace Ricky Nolasco are the top two active starters on the trade market. But Garza's one edge is that he's had success in the American League, too.

Chicago looks like it's going to be the Merchandise Mart of cities this trade deadline, with the Cubs now joining the White Sox as early sellers, Garza – who is battled-tested in the tough A.L. East, not to mention very hot at the moment – at the heart of their trade talks.

Folks who have talked to the Cubs say they determined that Garza will surely go for two reasons: 1) Cubs people are taking a very realistic approach to their team and understand they aren't a contender, especially in the formidable N.L. Central, and 2) they realized awhile go that there's no long-term deal to be made with the free-agent-to-be Garza, in fact as far back as two springs ago when multiyear talks never got traction.

Garza is cooperating nicely on the field, as he has pitched brilliantly lately, having allowed just three earned runs in his last three starts over 22 innings. Overall, he is 3-1 with a 3.83 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 47 strikeouts against just 15 walks. His $10.25 million salary looks pretty reasonable.

The Cubs have quite a smorgasbord of available players, and according to one rival GM all among starter Scott Feldman, outfielders Nate Schierholtz, David DeJesus and Alfonso Soriano and relievers Kevin Gregg and Shawn Camp are also out there. They've also gotten hits on lefty reliever James Russell.

But as far as the Cubs go, Garza looks like the star du jour. He's put concerns abut his arm to the side with very strong performances since his return from the disabled list.

The Rangers, who have had interest in Garza before, are pitching well but had been hoping to get Colby Lewis back this month, and that isn't going to happen now.

The Orioles are seeking a veteran starter, and while they seemed lukewarm on Garza originally, he's enhanced his status with everyone with his recent outings. He beat the Brewers 7-2 Thursday, striking out 10 in seven innings.

All the N.L. West teams are looking for starting pitching, with the Padres, Giants and Dodgers connected to Garza so far, though at least Los Angeles seems to be more in the mix for Nolasco.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Fuck, you gave long term money to Edwin Jackson because he was young enough to be there when the winning started. Here you have Garza in house.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

That is not why they signed Jackson.

Come on dolphin, you are better than this.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

That is not why they signed Jackson.

Come on dolphin, you are better than this.

No, I think that was a stated reason at the time of the signing. They certainly didn't sign him for today, when they knew they would lose. He and Sanchez both fit the mix of still being in their 20s while being a reliable quantity in terms of production so that when they were good, either could top their rotation.

I could probably pull up quotes if I gave a fart.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Yes because the "stated" reason is always the reason.

Good call.

Then what is the reason? Do you think they threw down 13 million for him to eat innings for a team that will lose 90+ games?

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

They signed him to eat some innings for awhile and then be flipped for a couple prospects.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

You really are struggling lately. It is like watching Jordan in a Wizards uniform.

They signed him to eat some innings for awhile and then be flipped for a couple prospects.

If you hate Laurence, then don't listen - don't comment. When he co-hosts the B&B show, take that day off ... listen to an old podcast of a Bernstein solo show and jerk off all day.

Note to RFDC: Paul Maholm is 8-6 with a 3.86 ERA. 91 IP 91 hit with a great K to W ratio.


Your Wrong, I'm right. Theo over flipped last year. There was no point in flipping a guy signed for 2 years who eats innings and pitches well.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I would cover for SHARK, Drop In, Dave in Champaign, my Mom, and Urlacher's Missing Neck. After that, the list gets pretty thin. There are a few people about whom I would definitely fabricate charges.

Marmol traded to the Dodgers? Dodgers are nuts.

I would cover for SHARK, Drop In, Dave in Champaign, my Mom, and Urlacher's Missing Neck. After that, the list gets pretty thin. There are a few people about whom I would definitely fabricate charges.