Report: Cubs have interest in Darvish

After already giving Tyler Chatwood the largest contract signed by a pitcher to date this winter, the Chicago Cubs may now have eyes on one of the offseason's marquee available arms.

Chicago is reportedly interested in All-Star right-hander Yu Darvish, sources told Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago. It's unclear if any talks between the two sides have taken place.

The Cubs have spent the winter searching for starting pitching as they look to return to the World Series next season, and Darvish would undoubtedly give their rotation a boost. If he were to join Chicago, he'd almost assuredly replace fellow free agent Jake Arrieta on the staff alongside a veteran group that already includes Chatwood, plus incumbents Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, and Kyle Hendricks.

While Darvish's atrocious World Series performance - in which he was later said to be tipping his pitches - may be cause for concern, the Cubs did see the other side of what he can offer firsthand in October. During the NLCS, Darvish, then still with the Los Angeles Dodgers, tossed a gem at Wrigley Field, allowing just one run in 6 1/3 innings in Game 3.

Darvish has already drawn interest from a variety of teams on the open market, including Chicago's longtime rival, the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as the Houston Astros, and Minnesota Twins.

Other starting pitching options being pursued by the Cubs reportedly include former Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Cobb, who they were thought to be making a "strong push" for in recent weeks.