Nathan Eovaldi

The Yankees and Cubs have talked about a possible trade involving starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, according to a report. (Adam Hunger | USA Today Sports)

TORONTO -- The Yankees and Cubs have talked about a possible trade involving starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, according to 670 The Score's Julie DiCaro.

Source says one of the pitchers the #Cubs are focusing on for possible deal is #Yankees SP Nathan Eovaldi. Nothing imminent. — Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) May 29, 2016

No word on anything going back. Told talks in very very early stages. — Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) May 29, 2016



The Yankees also discussed a possible trade for Eovaldi in the offseason, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.



There's plenty of reason to believe that Eovaldi would be a hot commodity on the trade market -- and equal reason to think the Yankees would want to keep him.



He's just 26 years old. He's shown big improvements since the Yankees acquired him in a five-player deal before the 2015 season.



Already armed with a fastball that has touched 102 mph and has averaged 96.9 mph this season, Eovaldi has worked with pitching coach Larry Rothschild to expand his arsenal.



The right-hander now features a splitter that's been a huge part of his success -- and a reason for the jump in his strikeout rate -- and a refined slider.



But the Yankees might feel the best time to deal Eovaldi is now, while he's plenty valuable. He's set to command a big payday -- providing he keeps trending upward -- when he becomes a free agent in 2018. He's also had Tommy John surgery in high school and battled elbow inflammation at the end of last season.



What could the Yankees get from the Cubs for Eovaldi? Who knows, but the conversation should probably start with 23-year-old Javier Baez, perhaps Chicago's most talented youngster and whom Baseball America ranked the game's fifth best prospect going into 2014.

But would Eovaldi be enough to pry Baez from the Cubs? This is all just speculation at the moment, but the Yankees don't seem to have a great shot at going very far this season, and maybe they'll look at unloading guys such as Eovaldi to stock up on talent.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.