After weeks of speculation, the Texas Rangers have finally acquired Matt Garza in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. Long believed to be the favorites for the right-hander, the Rangers hit a snag in talks with the Cubs late last week. Chicago engaged other clubs over the weekend, giving Texas a sense of urgency to complete a deal.

The Cubs received third baseman Mike Olt, pitchers Justin Grimm and C.J. Edwards and two players to be named later in exchange for Garza, who was originally scheduled to start on Monday night. The timing of the deal was vital, allowing Chicago to avoid potential injury or an ineffective outing. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer were put in an unenviable position last summer when Garza went on the disabled list with a stress reaction as they were in talks to move him.

Garza has been spectacular in 71 innings this season, going 6-1 with a 3.17 ERA and 62 strikeouts. Since struggling in early June against the Cincinnati Reds, Garza is 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA.

The Rangers are three games behind the Oakland Athletics in the American League West, relying largely on their pitching in the first half of the season. Texas ranks ninth in the AL in runs scored, but second in ERA. They have long liked Garza, going back to 2011, but he could turn out to be only a rental. He is only under contract through the end of the season.

Garza will slide behind Yu Darvish as the team's No. 2 starter with Derek Holland, Alexi Ogando and Martin Perez rounding out the rotation when everyone is healthy. He has a past in the American League (two seasons with the Twins, three with the Rays), but has struggled at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

He is expected to make his debut on Wednesday night against the New York Yankees.

Texas is banking on Garza's ability to continue to pitch as he has over the last six weeks. If he does so and the Rangers qualify for the playoffs and make a decent run, the cost they paid will be justified. If they struggle and Garza doesn't dominate, parting with a handful of prospects will prove to be costly.

Grade for the Rangers: B-

The Cubs wanted Martin Perez and Luke Jackson from Texas, but the haul they received was strong nonetheless. Garza wasn't going to re-sign this winter, making a trade necessary for the rebuilding franchise. In addition to Olt, Grimm and Edwards, the Cubs have the option to take on either one or two other players depending on what they choose from the pool.

Olt, 24, was hitting .213/.317/.422 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI in 230 at-bats with Triple-A Round Rock this season. He is strong defensively, which has made a lack of offensive development somewhat easier to swallow. Olt should be playing with the Cubs by the end of the season.

Grimm has started 17 games for the Rangers in 2013, posting a 6.37 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 89 innings. Batters are hitting .314 against the right-hander, but Epstein is relying on a strong history in the minor leagues. At 24, there is still time for him to develop.

Edwards, who will turn 22 in September, pitched with Class-A Hickory prior to the trade. The righty went 8-2 with a 1.83 ERA and 122 strikeouts in less than 94 innings. He'll report to Class-A Daytona and hasn't surrendered a home run in more than 160 professional innings.

As is the case with most trades during the summer, it will be a few years before final judgment can be made on the players involved. We will know how Garza performs almost immediately, but the Cubs need time to sprinkle their development dust on the prospects they acquired.

Grade for Cubs: A-

The risk for Chicago is tempered because of how little sense it would have made for them to keep Garza. With Garza finding a new home, the rest of the trade market should begin to take shape a little more than a week left until the non-waiver deadline.