Cubs Trade Rumors: Chicago Inquired About Justin Verlander, Talks Stalled

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Thursday that the Chicago Cubs inquired about the availability of Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander over the past month, but talks never progressed.

The report came on the heels of the Cubbies trading prospects Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease, Matt Rose and Bryant Flete to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Jose Quintana on Thursday.

The 34-year-old Verlander is struggling this season with a 5-6 record, 4.73 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 98 strikeouts in 104.2 innings.

However, in 2016, he finished second in the American League Cy Young award voting by virtue of a 16-9 record with a 3.04 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 254 strikeouts, which led the AL.

Verlander is a six-time All-Star as well as a former AL Cy Young award winner and MVP, but his time in Detroit may be nearing its conclusion.

The Tigers are a disappointing 39-48 this season, and Verlander has three years remaining on his contract beyond 2017, including a vested option in 2020, per Spotrac.

Chicago is off to a surprisingly bad start after winning the World Series last season at 43-45, which leaves it 5.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.

The Cubs are ninth in Major League Baseball in team ERA and sixth in batting average against, but their starters have been inconsistent, with Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey and Kyle Hendricks all having an ERA over 4.00.

Chicago attempted to beef up the rotation with Quintana, and it appears unlikely Verlander is on the radar any longer after giving up multiple promising players in Thursday's trade.