Tigers-Cubs trade unlikely after Chicago adds Jose Quintana to rotation

DETROIT – Rumblings about a trade between the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs have been swirling around the baseball world the last several weeks, with names like Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer and Daniel Norris popping up on the rumor mill.

But the Tigers and Cubs are no longer likely to be compatible trade partners after the defending World Series champions sent four prospects across the city to the White Sox in exchange for left-handed starter Jose Quintana.

In the deal, the Cubs sent star outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez, top-100 pitching prospect Dylan Cease and infield prospects Matt Rose and Bryant Flete to the White Sox.

The Cubs will add Qunitana to a starting rotation that already includes mainstays Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, John Lackey and Kyle Hendricks, who is expected to return from injury shortly after the All-Star break.

While Arrieta, Lester and especially Lackey struggled throughout the first half, all three veterans played a major role in last year's World Series run and figure to have long leashes from manager Joe Maddon.

The Cubs also have Eddie Butler and Mike Mongomery as serviceable backup options for the rotation.

Al Avila will be looking for an enormous return to move young pitchers, such as Fulmer and Norris, so it's unlikely the Cubs would be interested in making another move for a starting pitcher after such an expensive trade with the White Sox.

In Verlander's case, if the Cubs were ever interested, the Quintana deal probably slams the door on any remaining possibility.

The Tigers desperately need to make moves for the future before the trade deadline, but Avila might have to look elsewhere to move a starting pitcher.