Cubs reach $5.95 million, 1-yr. deal with Garza

[January 19, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Right-hander Matt Garza, who could be the Cubs opening-day pitcher after being acquired in a trade from Tampa Bay last week, agreed to a $5.95 million, one-year contract Tuesday and avoided arbitration.

Garza made $3.35 million last season, when he was 15-10 for the Rays.

The Cubs also agreed to a two-year deal with left-handed reliever Sean Marshall and a one-year deal for lefty Tom Gorzelanny, who will be traded to the Washington Nationals. Both were arbitration eligible.

The Cubs earlier agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with catcher Geovany Soto, also avoiding arbitration.

The 27-year-old Garza is 42-44 with a 3.97 ERA in 121 major league games with Minnesota and Tampa Bay.

Marshall was 7-5 with a 2.65 ERA in 80 relief appearances last season.

Gorzelanny went 7-9 with one save and a 4.09 ERA in 29 appearances, 23 as a starter, with the Cubs last season. A person familiar with the deal told the AP on Monday that Gorzelanny will be shipped to the Nationals for three prospects. The trade has not been officially announced.

`[Associated Press]

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