Cubs not likely to miss Garza

If you had under March 15 for the first time Matt Garza would take a shot at the Cubs' front office this year, you cashed comfortably.

If you're betting on the next one, you'd be wise to play it this side of June 1.

It's Matt Garza. It's what he does.

He's done it after leaving every city he's been in, and at age 30 he's already been in plenty.

Now in Milwaukee, Garza is on his fifth team in eight years despite No. 1 starter stuff - often accompanied by minor-league level concentration.

Last week, Garza jabbed Cubs ownership and baseball boss Theo Epstein, when all Epstein did was try to sign Garza to a deal worth more than he ultimately got from Milwaukee.

Once Epstein got the full taste and smell, he realized Garza couldn't stay healthy and was as annoying as he was injured, so the Cubs got Garza back on the field long enough to pry loose the Rangers' No. 2, 5 and 14 prospects - as ranked by Baseball America - for a two-month rental.

One of those players is righty C.J. Edwards, the Cubs' top pitching prospect and ranked 28th overall by Baseball America. Another is Mike Olt, who had been one of the top prospects in baseball before suffering a concussion and vision problems, and who might wind up as the Cubs' third baseman.

So the Cubs did well in moving a player who would not have been around once they got competitive again, didn't waste money on an unreliable guy, and got a nice return in the process.

All in all, a good deal for the Cubs, while Garza got to play for a team last summer in Texas that had a chance to reach the World Series.

Sounds pretty fair and relatively simple, which is why it's not something you'd expect Matt Garza to understand.

Camp conundrum

With two weeks left in spring training and injuries increasing around the game, expect trade talks to start heating up again, especially for the White Sox, who have a logjam in the middle infield, left field and at DH.

The Sox are strikingly right-handed, and expect any assets they move - be it now or before July 31 - to aid in adding left-handed bats.

Updated odds

To win the NBA title: Miami (2-1), Indiana (3-1), OKC (4-1), San Antonio (6-1), L.A. Clippers (8-1), Houston (14-1), Golden State (18-1), Brooklyn (40-1), Memphis (40-1), Portland (40-1) and the Bulls (50-1).

NHL overtime

According to the NHL, there have been zero goals scored in 10 minutes of 3-on-3 time this season and only one 3-on-3 goal in the past four years. Doesn't exactly help make the case for a 3-on-3 overtime if 4-on-4 doesn't settle the matter.

The numbers

Charles Tillman's return to the Bears makes it almost certain he will finish with the most interceptions in Bears history. He's currently at 36 behind safeties Gary Fencik (38) and Richie Petitbon (37).

The quote

Former Panther Steve Smith on playing again in Carolina: "Put your goggles on, 'cause there's going to be blood and guts everywhere."

The line

Over-under on number of days before Phil Jackson realizes he's made a mistake: 17.5.

Just thinking

Only 23 days until the Masters.

The tweet

From @NOTSCNFL: "REPORT: Vince Wilfork asked for his release after the #Patriots asked him to cut his diet down to 100 tacos/day."

And finally …

NBC's Jimmy Fallon: "Lawmakers in Russia have started a petition to get the U.S. kicked out of this year's World Cup. Or they could just take the easier route and wait until we lose in the first round to literally any other country."

brozner@dailyherald.com

• Listen to Barry Rozner from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on the Score's "Hit and Run" show at WSCR 670-AM.