Detroit – Before the Cubs made a dramatic trade Thursday with the White Sox that shipped pitcher Jose Quintana to Wrigley Field, the Cubs inquired about Tigers star Justin Verlander.
However, a source familiar with the two clubs’ conversation say there was no formal Cubs offer. No Cubs prospects were identified or hinted at. The conversation between general managers Theo Epstein and Al Avila were preliminary and did not extend to any specific discussion about Verlander’s contract and how much, if any, remaining salary might be assumed by either party.
The source requested anonymity because no trade agreement was reached.