The Detroit Tigers are in trade discussions with the Chicago Cubs about right-hander Rick Porcello and are trying to get the Baltimore Orioles involved so that shortstop J.J. Hardy can be included in the deal, reports Roch Kubatko of MASN:

I heard last night that the Tigers and Cubs are discussing a potential trade involving pitcher Rick Porcello, who also interests the Orioles. Now here's the rumored kicker: The Tigers are trying to get the Orioles involved because they want shortstop J.J. Hardy, and they don't feel as though the Cubs have the necessary components to make it a two-team trade. For this to happen, the Cubs would have to send pitching to the Orioles as part of a three-way deal.

The Orioles have been interested in acquiring Porcello for some time, but this is the first we have heard of the Cubs showing interest in the young right-hander. Chicago has already added four rotation options this winter, so the addition of another starting pitcher would be odd unless they plan on getting rid of someone else (say, Garza?).

Kubatko believes that it would take an overwhelming offer for Baltimore to part with Hardy, as they do not have any other shortstop options they are willing to try out. Manny Machado did play all but five games the minors at short, but the Orioles would rather have him at third base.

Baltimore has been on the lookout for starting pitching and/or a middle-of-the-lineup bat all winter but has been unsuccessful in its search thus far. It is unclear at this point what they would get in return if Porcello went to Chicago and Hardy went to Detroit, but Alfonso Soriano or Jhonny Peralta could be possibilities offense-wise.