Possibility of Garza to Rangers diminishing

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers are still having trade discussions with the Cubs about pitcher Matt Garza, but the possibility of a deal has diminished over the weekend.

The biggest obstacle is that the Cubs have some medical concerns about one of the players being offered by the Rangers in return. The questions weren't serious but were considered legitimate. According to Major League sources, the two sides were trying to find alternative ways to make the deal.

The trade could happen, it may not or Garza could be traded to another team. The Cubs were in fourth place in the National League Central going into Saturday, 14 games behind the first-place Cardinals, and they appear to be determined to trade Garza.

Right now Garza is considered the top starting pitcher on the trade market, but the Rangers were among the teams that had a scout watching Jake Peavy pitch for the White Sox against the Braves on Saturday. Peavy, who allowed four runs (two earned) in six innings, made his first start since June 4 after being sidelined for six weeks with a fractured rib.

Unlike Garza, who can be a free agent after this season, Peavy is signed for next year at $14.5 million with a performance-based option of $15 million for 2015.

There is no word on which Rangers players raised concerns with the Cubs. But pitcher Neil Ramirez, whose name has been prominently mentioned in the discussions, has been dealing with some shoulder issues lately. He made his first start in two weeks for Double-A Frisco on Friday night and allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings.