Assuming he's still with the Chicago Cubs when the season begins, Jeff Samardzija knows everyone will be watching him.

He has been mentioned in trade rumors for a majority of his baseball career.

"If anything, it just puts a chip on your shoulder," Samardzija said.

"It makes you want to go out and prove yourself even more."

The Arizona Diamondbacks have good depth at shortstop and are reportedly targeting a young catcher in trade talks.

They have Chris Owings and Didi Gregorius at short as the season approaches.

Cliff Lee has been the subject of trade rumors each of the last two seasons, but the Philadelphia Phillies have hung on to him.

If the Phillies aren't positioned for a playoff run around the trade deadline, Lee could finally be moved.

A contending team could have him for two stretch runs, and possibly a third if an option for 2016 kicks in.

"I don't really care," Lee said Thursday. "There's no sense really thinking about it. Honestly, it usually means a good thing. It means you've had success and other teams really want you. So that's a positive."

Lee signed a five-year, $120 million contract with the Phillies before the 2011 season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks will decide between Chris Owings and Didi Gregorius at shortstop, but the decision could be finalized sooner than expected if a trade is made.

"It's been pretty quiet of late," Kevin Towers said of the trade market. "With Stephen Drew still out there right now, I haven't had much trade discussions."

Towers didn't shoot down the idea of a trade, even spelling out what Arizona would want in return for one of their shortstops.

"For us, it would have to be the right deal," Towers said. "Our biggest needs in our system are catching. If it's the right, top-notch catching prospect. Someone we could have right behind Miggy. More of an upper-level guy. Maybe a top, upper-end starter. We have a lot of bullpen depth, infielders. Maybe an outfielder, but probably more catching and Double-A, Triple-A type starter."

The Chicago Cubs are no closer to a long-term contract agreement with Jeff Samardzija than they were a year ago.

A trade is a strong possibility, according to two sources. A third source said trade talks aren't happening.

Rick Renteria did nothing to quell trade rumors when discussing the possibility of starting Samardzija on Opening Day.

"So many things can happen over the course of the spring that I'm not going to lock myself into trying to divulge something that I can't really determine will be in the end," Renteria said.

Samardzija makes $5.345 million this year with two years of club control remaining.

The New York Mets may be a potential trade match for the Seattle Mariners, who have an extra shortstop in Nick Franklin.

There has been dialogue between the two clubs as far back as the winter meetings, according to a source.

The talk is expected to pick up in the next month with Seattle having an excess infielder and the Mets having the type of young pitching Seattle desires.

The Seattle Mariners may trade an infielder before Opening Day, according to industry sources.

After signing Robinson Cano, many have speculated that Nick Franklin or Brad Miller may be expendable.

Brandon Phillips reported to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, but declined to speak with reporters.

His name was mentioned often in trade rumors this offseason.

"I'm just here to play," Phillips said through a team spokesman.

It was reported during the Winter Meetings that the Reds offered him to the New York Yankees for Brett Gardner, but the Yankees declined.

Bryan Price did not think Phillips would have any issues this season with the team after the events of the winter.

"I've spoken with him a small handful of times this offseason," Price said. "He made a good commitment to come out for Redsfest. What I'd love to do is talk about this at the front end of Spring Training and then just get past it. To me, it really has gotten to the point of a non-issue. I don't even really think about it at this point in time. We're so far past those early offseason times where it was a front-and-center question."

Jimmy Rollins has been mentioned in trade rumors for the better part of a year, but he has control over whether the Philadelphia Phillies deal him.

As a veteran of 10 years in the major leagues, five with the same club, he has full veto power over trades.

"I'm not planning on waiving my no-trade clause," Rollins said. "My plan is to bring a championship back here, to be honest.

"So until something else happens and the situation presents itself where it may help the team -- then I'll think about it. But until then there's nothing to think about."

Rollins said last season that he had no interest in waiving his no-trade clause because there were still things he wanted to accomplish in a Phillies uniform.

The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't ruled out adding a left-handed hitting first baseman before the start of the season.

Pittsburgh would likely make the addition via trade.

They currently have right-handed Gaby Sanchez at first base.