UPDATE: The Cubs may be targeting Cobb in the talks, Topkin adds. If a deal were to go down, the Cubs would likely get Cobb and another player, but it won't be one of the previously mentioned relievers.
Check out the latest from Topkin.
-----
UPDATE: The Rays are "definitely" targeting Baez, according to Topkin, and Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com adds the Cubs might be targeting Matt Moore and Alex Cobb as well as relievers, but would "have to get a starter" in return.
-----
With three of the top starting pitching free agents off the board, it's likely the Chicago Cubs will use their resources to explore a trade to bolster their rotation. Infielder Javier Baez is the focus of such recent rumors as the Cubs are reportedly in discussions with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Chicago could also upgrade their bullpen in a trade with the Rays. Earlier in the offseason it was reported Tampa Bay was willing to move relievers Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger as well as starters Matt Moore and Drew Smyly. Is there a match here?
"The Rays trade talks with the Cubs are said to be focused on getting INF Javier Baez in return for pitching, a major-league source told the Times," writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
"Baez, 23, would provide the kind of young impact bat the Rays seek."
Source: #Rays have indeed talked to #Cubs about Baez, as @TBTimes_Rays reported. TB has both starters and relievers to trade.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2015
"A source confirmed Sunday night that the Cubs and Rays have discussed personnel that could eventually satisfy the needs of both their teams," writes Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
"Cubs infielder Javier Baez, who is expected to work out in center field in the Puerto Rican League later this month, would appear to attract the most interest from the Rays."
If the Cubs are intent on improving their starting rotation right now, it's not very clear if Moore or Smyly would do the trick in a trade for Baez. Moore did not have a good season (5.43 ERA in 12 starts) in his first action back from Tommy John surgery and Smyly dealt with shoulder problems all of last year, which limited him to 12 starts.
Additionally, McGee and Boxberger may not be enough of a haul for the Cubs to part ways with Baez. The two relievers have been some of the best in the MLB over the past two seasons, but Baez's potential and versatility may be of too much value to acquire a reliever who probably won't pitch more than 65 innings in a single season.
Boxberger, 27, owns a 3.03 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 43 saves and 178 strikeouts in 132 games (127 2/3 innings) over the past two seasons.
McGee, 29, is 6-3 with a 2.07 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 26 saves and 138 strikeouts in 112 games (108 2/3 innings) in 2014 and 2015.
There were talks of Baez potentially getting some reps in center field, which would save the Cubs a lot of money in free agency considering the top outfielders are probably going to sign contracts in excess of $100 million. It's also been said they're taking a look at Dexter Fowler, who is projected to land a $60 million deal, but previous reports said Chicago might be reluctant to give him that much money.
Baez can also play every infield position except first base, so it's more than likely the Cubs view him as a formidable depth option in the event Starlin Castro, Addison Russell or Kris Bryant get injured at some point.
Nonetheless, previous rumors suggested Baez was being dangled in trade talks for starting pitching, so maybe the Cubs are looking to sell high on him and get a capable cost-controlled starter in return.
Keep coming back for updates, as the Winter Meetings are expected to result in a ton of transactions.
