CHICAGO -- While it's still likely Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza will be moved before the July 31 trade deadline, a source familiar with the situation said the team and Garza have discussed some contract options that would keep him in Chicago.

Garza is due to become an unrestricted free agent after this season and it's likely the Cubs will either trade him or sign him to a new deal before July 31. The source claims the sides haven't had serious discussions about a long-term deal but still haven't ruled it out.

Garza is 4-1 with a 3.45 ERA in nine starts this season after missing a couple of months with a lat injury suffered in spring training.

"Needless to say he's a popular name and a guy we've gotten a lot of phone calls," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer admitted on Monday. "I think he's opened a lot of eyes the way he's thrown the last 4 or 5 times out."

Garza has gone at least seven innings in his last four starts giving up no more than one run in each of them. He is scheduled to pitch on Monday night against the White Sox.