Matt Garza Trade Speculation: Cubs Send Garza to Red Sox for Jacoby Ellsbury?

This is pure speculation on my part, but it is true that Theo Epstein is listening to offers for Matt Garza and one of the interested teams is said to be the Boston Red Sox.

While most indications are that Epstein and the Cubs will be looking for young prospects in return, there is the matter of contending now in order to keep the Cubs' fans faithful.

With that in mind, I say why not ask the Sox for Jacoby Ellsbury?

Yes, I know that Ellsbury was the AL MVP in many people's eyes last year, coming off of a season in which he hit 32 home runs, with a slash line of .321/.376/.552.

Keep in mind that Ellsbury had previously never hit more than nine homers in a single season prior to 2011.

Which brings up another point. The Sox would be selling high on Ellsbury, since there is no way to know if the power is repeatable or just a one year aberration.

Meanwhile, Garza would look good in the Sox rotation. He is battle tested in the playoffs from having pitched in the AL East with the Rays.

Both players are under team control until 2014 and arbitration-eligible. However, as a Scott Boras client, Ellsbury may be less likely to sign an extension than Garza.  

Garza made $5.95 million last year and could be looking for $9 million in arbitration. Ellsbury made just $2.4 million in 2011, so he should be less expensive in arbitration despite his terrific season. 

Perhaps the Cubs could throw in Marlon Byrd in the deal. But whatever the final transaction becomes, the Cubs would have a relatively young outfielder while the Sox would have a relatively young starter.

This trade would add some much needed team speed to the Cubs lineup and give the Sox the starting depth they are seeking.

Hey, it's win-win. I say, why not?