The Detroit Tigers have six starting pitchers. They only need five.

The Chicago Cubs have already added four starters this offseason. It appears they'd like to add a fifth.

The result? A potential trade-in-the-making.

The Tigers and the Cubs are reportedly discussing a three-team trade with the Baltimore Orioles that would send Rick Porcello to Chicago in exchange for shortstop J.J. Hardy.

, citing an anonymous source, was informed of talks late Monday and suggested the Tigers involved the Orioles because "they don't feel as though the Cubs have the necessary components to make it a two-team trade."

In order for a deal to take shape, the Cubs will likely be asked to send pitching to the Orioles. And, according to Kubatko, it will need to be an overwhelming pitching package.

"(The Orioles) love the left side of their infield," Kubatko said. "They're not looking to shift Manny Machado to shortstop in 2013."

So, what about Jhonny Peralta? If the Orioles aren't entirely comfortable with moving Machado to shortstop, could Peralta be included in an effort to replace Hardy?

That remains unclear, but if the reported three-team discussion is accurate, it at least suggests the Tigers are considering the idea of replacing Peralta at shortstop.

The Tigers have been linked to Hardy in the past and likely view 30-year-old All-Star as a defensive upgrade over Peralta.

Hardy, who has held the American League's top fielding percentage the past two seasons, led AL shortstops in assists this past season en route to winning a Gold Glove.

The Tigers were rumored to be actively shopping Peralta during the winter meetings in Nashville in early December, reportedly drawing interest from several teams, including Oakland and Arizona.

The A's and Diamondbacks have since addressed their needs at shortstop, but both clubs could still be interested in Peralta as a third baseman.

Like the Cubs, the Orioles are also interested in adding another starting pitcher and have reportedly inquired about Porcello. Which begs the question: Why involve the Cubs at all?

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski has received "numerous" calls from clubs seeking starting pitching since the club re-signed right-hander Anibal Sanchez in late December.

The addition of Sanchez seemingly makes Porcello, 24, expendable as the team appears to be comfortable in naming left-hander Drew Smyly the No. 5 starter.

Porcello, who is under team control through 2015, went 10-12 with a 4.59 ERA last season and has reportedly been targeted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres, too.

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