The Chicago Cubs have continued to receive inquiries on starting center fielder Marlon Byrd, but Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that a trade isn't likely at this point. The outfielder is in the final year of a three-year contract that he signed with Chicago before the 2010 season.
Rather than finish a deal before the end of the season, Rosenthal says that a trade is more likely to occur in July. Such a situation would allow the Cubs to give top prospect Brett Jackson, Byrd's expected successor in center field, additional time to develop with Triple-A Iowa.
Don't expect the Cubs to get a substantial return for Byrd, though, as Rosenthal notes that teams will be reluctant to give up top prospects for the veteran outfielder even if the Cubs are willing to eat a significant portion of his $6.5 million salary.
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