D-backs return home to take on struggling Cubs

The Cubs are in the headlines again in late July, but for them, that only means that they have salable commodities available to contending teams at the trade deadline. Last season it was right-hander Ryan Dempster, who vetoed a trade to Atlanta and was sent to Texas as a two-month stretch rental. This year the hot item is right-hander Matt Garza, and the Rangers again are among the top suitors, although reports indicated that they back out of a deal Friday because of health concerns. Garza could help any team in need of a starting pitcher, and San Francisco, Boston and Toronto also are believed to be in the running. Garza will be a free agent this winter, however, when his price will go through the roof, so like Dempster he could be a two-month rental. The D-backs have been linked in reports to younger Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija, who is in a different class inasmuch as he has two years left of arbitration (and thus team control) before becoming a free agent. Closer Kevin Gr...