The Chicago Cubs have shown "continued interest" in trading for Whit Merrifield.

Merrifield is entering the second season of a four-year, $16.25 million contract extension.

The Cubs are looking for an infielder to slot next to Javier Baez.

Right-hander Jharel Cotton, who returned at the Triple-A level for the Athletics after missing all of 2018 following Tommy John surgery, has been traded to the Cubs on Saturday in exchange for cash considerations.

The 27-year-old Cotton went 11-10 with a 4.95 ERA in 29 starts for the Athletics over the 2016 and '17 seasons. He had the procedure to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow prior to the 2018 season.

The San Francisco Giants have hired former Cubs front-office executive Scott Harris as general manager, the team announced Sunday.

Harris spent seven years in the Cubs' front office and was named their assistant GM in January of last year. He has long been seen as a future GM and was an integral part of the Cubs' recent rise.

"We're thrilled to be able to bring in an executive of Scott's caliber to help lead our Baseball Operations group," president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said in a statement.

One day after picking up the 2020 option on pitcher Jose Quintana, the Chicago Cubs have done the same with former All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Rizzo will make $16.5 million next season, the first of two option years the Cubs hold on him.

Starting pitcher Yu Darvish and outfielder Jason Heyward are staying with the Chicago Cubs.

Darvish and Heyward both had the right to opt out of their contracts and become free agents but decided against it. Darvish is owed $81 million over the final four seasons of a $126 million, six-year deal, and Heyward is due $86 million in the next four seasons of a $184 million, eight-year contract.

The Chicago Cubs exercised their 2020 club contract option on left-hander Jose Quintana on Saturday and declined their 2020 club contract option on left-hander Derek Holland.