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Report: Chicago Cubs offered Kyle Schwarber in trade for Detroit Tigers P Michael Fulmer

By Alex Butler
Chicago Cubs OF Kyle Schwarber hits a solo home run against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning on June 21 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI
1 of 3 | Chicago Cubs OF Kyle Schwarber hits a solo home run against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning on June 21 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo

July 11 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs are interested in trading for Michael Fulmer and not Justin Verlander, according to a report.

Sources told Jim Bowden, of SiriusXM Radio, that the Cubs called the Detroit Tigers about their interest in Fulmer and Daniel Norris. Sources told Bowden that the team "wanted" Fulmer but "asked about Norris too." Bowden is a former MLB general manager. He reported that the Cubs offered up Kyle Schwarber in a possible trade.

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Sources told MLB Network last week that the Cubs inquired with the Tigers about the availability of Verlander and Alex Avila, but neither side engaged in trade negotiations.

The Cubs had a scout at Verlander's last start.

A Cubs official told Peter Gammons that "no one is going to pay $70 million for [Verlander], even though he may still be a very good pitcher." That report stated that the Cubs have called "almost every team" to see who is available. Gammons confirmed that the Cubs asked the Tigers about Fulmer and Norris, but are not interested in Verlander.

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Norris, 24, has a 4-7 record with a 5.29 ERA. Fulmer, a 2017 All-Star, owns a 3.19 ERA and 9-6 record this season for the Tigers. He was the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year after posting an 11-7 mark with a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts last season.

Schwarber was demoted to Triple-A in June and recalled last week. The 24-year-old is hitting .178 this season with 13 home runs and 29 RBI. Schwarber hit .246 during his rookie campaign in 2015. He hit .343 with four home runs in 11 minor league games this season.

Schwarber helped the Cubs to the 2017 World Series title by hitting .412 in five games last postseason.

Major League Baseball's trade deadline in on July 31.

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