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PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza was scratched from his scheduled start Monday night against Arizona and reportedly has been traded to the Texas Rangers.

According to national reports Monday afternoon, the Cubs and Rangers finally worked out the details of a trade that will send three prospects -- third baseman Mike Olt and right-handed pitchers C.J. Edwards and Justin Grimm -- and a player to be named to the Cubs in exchange for the veteran right-hander.

TyCobb wrote:Nice little haul for the Cubs, although a little bit of a head-scratcher as they just drafted a 3B no. 2 overall in the '13 draft and got a corner IF as the centerpiece in the deal.

The New York Post's George King was the first to report on Tuesday that the Yankees were "close" to acquiring Soriano. According to the Post, the Cubs would pay the bulk of the money remaining on Soriano's contract. The 37-year-old outfielder is making $18 million this year, and is owed $18 million in 2014. According to FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the key in the negotiations will be the amount of money the Cubs include in the deal. Both reports pointed out that the Yankees want to stay under the $189 million luxury-tax threshold next season.

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired right-hander Francisco Rodriguez from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor league infielder Nick Delmonico.

Rodriguez, 31, is 1-1 with 10 saves, a 1.09 ERA (24.2IP, 3ER), 26 strikeouts and nine walks in 25 appearances for Milwaukee this season. He has recorded double-digit saves in nine of the last 10 seasons, including a major league record 62 in 2008 with the Los Angeles Angels. His 304 career saves are third most among active players and 21st most all-time.

A sixth round draft pick by the Orioles in the 2011 First Year Player Draft out of Farragut High School (TN), Delmonico, 20, batted .244/.351/.471 in 60 games with Class-A Frederick this season after hitting .249/.351/.411 in 95 games for Class-A Delmarva in 2012.

To make room for Rodriguez on the 40-man roster, outfielder Nolan Reimold has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

The Baltimore Orioles' acquisition of Francisco Rodriguez makes some sense, but the price they paid -- third base prospect Nick Delmonico -- for a rental reliever feels excessive, while the Milwaukee Brewers get more than they should have for two months of K-Rod's work.

K-Rod has been an extreme fly ball pitcher this year, working with an average fastball and curveball and above-average changeup. His 1.09 ERA masks a lot of luck on balls in play: his BABIP this year is .250, by far its lowest since 2009 and not sustainable over the long haul. If he doesn't become homer-prone as a fly baller in the AL East, he's a fine middle reliever, worth some fraction of a win over the course of the 20 innings he'll provide to the Orioles -- who could use a little bullpen depth -- over the course of the rest of the season.

Delmonico is probably a top-200 prospect in the minors right now, though not a top-100 guy. He has a solid approach at the plate and above-average power, but also has questions about his position and durability.

The main reason I dislike the move for Baltimore is that giving up a prospect of some value for 20 innings of a middle reliever is poor asset management. Delmonico isn't an elite prospect, but he has a little value because he can hit, has great makeup, and has been familiar in scouting circles since he was a sophomore in high school.

The Orioles might have saved him to include in a trade for a more significant acquisition, and could have stretched Kevin Gausman out in a long relief role if they wished to take some pressure off their bullpen. For the Brewers, it doesn't justify all the money they've spent on K-Rod over the past two years, but it's a more than adequate return for a middle relief rental.

Schwabby wrote:Fonzi has been scratched from the Cubs lineup tonight, so it looks like it's down to the formalities before it's announced.

Here's to hoping he can produce with the short porches.

Schwabby wrote:What makes you think they'll deal David Price?

The Rays traded for White Sox reliever Jesse Crain. But Crain is on the DL and it's not clear when he'll be back. In a brilliant arrangement, the player the Rays send back to Chicago will depend on just how healthy Crain is.

"The return will be based on how much he pitches the rest of the season," the Chicago Tribune reports. Presumably the Rays gave the White Sox two or more "tiers" of prospects, and which one they'll choose from depends on how many appearances Crain makes. It's complicated enough that MLB had to go over it a second time to make sure.