As the slow, boring baseball offseason trugs along, action is expected sooner than later.

That goes for both the free-agent market and trade scene. In the Bronx, all eyes continue to be on a possible blockbuster between the Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed starter Gerrit Cole.

While rumors have been persistent, nothing has gone down--yet. Despite a standstill, the path to a deal seems to be there between now and, say, the start of spring training. That, of course, could change if another team satisfies Pittsburgh's trade demanded for one of baseball's best pitchers.

According to Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago, the Chicago Cubs could be the team that swoops in to steal Cole from the Yankees.

The two starting pitchers getting the most attention on the trade market are Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole and Rays right-hander Chris Archer, and both are receiving attentions from top clubs like the Yankees and Cubs.

As MLB trade rumors noted, this is the first time a Cole-Cubs connection has been made this winter.

Cole, 27, owns a 3.50 ERA across 127 career starts. The Pirates righty posted the following numbers in 2017: 33 starts, 203 innings, 4.08 FIP and 3.56 SO/BB.

Along with the potential for stardom, Cole brings durability to the rotation. Last season, Cole was just one of 15 big league starters to log at least 200 innings pitched. He was one of only 12 to make at least 33 starts.

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.