Trade Talk, Levine, and More...

Matt Garza is gaining interest as we get to closer to Spring Training. The teams the most interested in him are the Red Sox and Rangers although other teams are likely to emerge once he is prove healthy.

Rick Porcello is making the rounds on the rumor wire again. It is known that the Tigers want a late inning reliever, outfielder, or SS for Porcello. The Cubs have all three in Carlos Marmol, Soriano or DeJesus, and one of Darwin Barney or Junior Lake.

The Cubs like Porcello but maybe looking to deal Garza before making a move on Porcello a source tells me.

The Cubs front office is still looking to make this team better and have been monitoring the trade market as well as the free agent market. The name Michael Bourn has shown up in my inbox recently and like it or not he could wind up playing CF for the Cubs next season.

Another source tells me that the Cubs maybe prefer to deal for Smyly instead of Porcello which the Tigers are less incline to do.

Two other guys that have not been on the rumor wire that could become available sometime this season are the Rockies Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki. Both guys could interest the Cubs along with pretty much every other team in baseball. Rockies are pitching starved.

Cubs avoided arbitration with Luis Valbuena on a one year deal.

The Cubs want a significant piece in a trade for Soriano according to Epstein.

Bruce Levine did his chat thing so here is that-

• Bruce says the Cubs would love to get 3^rd baseman Mike Olt or Lonnie Chisenhall but their trade attempts have come up empty so far.
• The Cubs could net a 3^rd baseman in a deal for Matt Garza.
• A source in Arizona told Bruce it would take a player like Castro to get Upton but also notes Baez.
• Bruce confirms what we all have known and that the Cubs and Dbacks have talked about a possible trade.
• The Cubs are looking to trade Marmol before getting another bullpen arm.
• Brian Wilson could interest the Cubs on a good value deal but he seems ticketed for the Mets.
• If BJax can solve his K issue he could bat anywhere 1-5.
• Soler needs at least a year in a half in the minors with 500 Abs in AAA. He thinks he will be up quickly.
• Only surprises at the Cubs convention would be Soriano or Marmol traded.
• Top spring stories with the Cubs will be Samardzija growth and Garza’s health.

Until Next Time…