Report: Cubs, Reds in trade discussions for Bieber, Glasnow

The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are on the hunt for starting pitching, and the division rivals are interested in trading for the same players.

Both teams are involved in trade discussions with the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays about acquiring starting pitchers Shane Bieber and Tyler Glasnow, sources told MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

Chicago could use another arm or two in its rotation. Marcus Stroman opted out of his contract to become a free agent, and the Cubs' projected rotation is expected to feature unproven arms in Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad behind ace Justin Steele and veterans Jameson Taillon and Kyle Hendricks.

Cubs starters were solid last season, combining for the third-most fWAR and fourth-most wins in the National League.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati boasts a talented young rotation featuring Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and others, but the team lacks a true ace. The Reds have been active this winter in their hunt for a starting pitcher and were linked to right-hander Sonny Gray before he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Bieber, the 2020 American League Cy Young winner, is in the last year of his contract. He made 21 starts for the Guardians last season, authoring a 3.80 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, with the lowest K/9 (7.5) of his career. The 28-year-old is expected to earn a $12.2-million salary through arbitration next season.

Like Bieber, the 30-year-old Glasnow has one year left on his deal. He'll earn a hefty $25-million salary after a 2023 campaign that saw him post a 3.53 ERA, 2.91 FIP, and 12.2 K/9 in 21 starts.