Report: Cubs trying to trade Szczur

Matt Szczur may not have a spot on the Chicago Cubs' roster.

Chicago is reportedly shopping the 27-year-old prior to the start of the season due to the outfielder being out of minor-league options, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.

The Cubs would have to place Szczur on the 40-man roster in order to avoid risking losing him to waivers, though filling his roster spot would prevent the team from including a 13th pitcher, Gonzalez notes.

Manager Joe Maddon isn't jumping to conclusions on Szczur's future with the club just yet, though he didn't refrain from boasting about his qualities to any potential future employers.

"We haven't decided anything or everything yet," Maddon said, according to Gonzales. "Stuff happens in a very short period of time. (Szczur) is a major-league player. So we'll just wait a couple more days to see how it plays out, but he is a benefit to any group that has him."

Maddon isn't wrong in his analysis. In 107 games with the Cubs last season, mostly in a backup role, Szczur slashed .259/.312/.400 while appearing in all three outfield positions.