Cubs’ Matt Garza too busy to think about trade

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Matt Garza (left), the subject of trade rumors all offseason, says he’s planning to be part of the Cubs in April and suggested he might ask for a contract extension. | Scott Stewart~Sun-Times

Updated: February 15, 2012 8:12AM

Even with Kerry Wood back in the fold, the Cubs’ pitching drama remains centered on Matt Garza, whose future with the team has been the subject of much speculation.

‘‘I really don’t pay attention [to rumors],’’ Garza said Friday. ‘‘I got way too much going on. I work out about three to four hours a day, and then I got three kids, and only two of them go to school, so I’m busy, busy, busy. Most of my focus is getting ready for February.

‘‘My name is in trade rumors every season, so it doesn’t bother me. It’s been a business. It’s always going to be a business, and if things happen, they happen. But I’m happy where I’m at, and right now, I’m a Chicago Cub and I’ll be pitching in Wrigley come April.’’

Team president Theo Epstein continued to leave the question open.

‘‘He’s a pro. He’s been traded before,’’ Epstein said. ‘‘He can handle situations like this. And I think through all of the media speculation, it’s important to remember how big a part of this team he is. He’s a rare, rare commodity. He’s a top-of-the-rotation-type starter. He’s proven it in the American League East. He proved it here last year in the National League Central. He’s playoff-proven.

‘‘He’s a guy, when he has the ball, our team thinks we’re going to win that day. That’s important. You can’t underestimate the impact of that on a ballclub.’’

Staying power?

Trade rumors aside, Garza hinted he might seek a contract extension if he remains with the Cubs.

‘‘That’s something my agent and I and Theo and Jed [Hoyer] will talk about,’’ he said. ‘‘I like the city. I love playing here. My kids love it. [But] it’s between them, and then we’ll talk about things like that. That’s stuff behind closed doors, and that’s where it should stay.’’

Garza, who was part of the Tampa Bay Rays’ surprising rise to power in the AL East, said new faces and youth don’t necessarily mean the Cubs won’t succeed this year.

‘‘I’ve played on teams that were just as young and done some special things, so I know what youth can do and I’ve seen it,’’ he said. ‘‘You don’t field a team not to win. You don’t put guys out there and say, ‘I hope we lose.’ No, we’re going to put the best 25 guys out there to win and compete, and we might shock people.’’

Byrd’s food fight

Outfielder Marlon Byrd is some 25 pounds lighter because he learned he suffered from food allergies.

‘‘I went to a doctor in New York and found out I was allergic to wheat and dairy,’’ he said. ‘‘I was this close to celiac disease [an intolerance to gluten].’’

He has had to eliminate all wheat, dairy and gluten from his diet.

‘‘I can eat meat, vegetables, sweet potatoes and white potatoes. No rice,’’ he said. ‘‘No soy. But coconut [milk]. But I feel great.’’

Contributing: Gordon Wittenmyer