Yankees trade rumors: Cliff Lee, Jeff Samardzija, other targets

Cubs ace Jeff Samardzija rejected a five-year, $85-million deal from the Cubs, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Could the chances the Yankees make a serious play for Cubs ace Jeff Samardzija have just increased?

Samardzija has rejected a five-year, $85-million deal from Chicago, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi, who cited unnamed sources. (See tweet below.)

Samardzija has been the subject of trade speculation all season. The 6-foot-5 righty has a 2.77 ERA in 15 starts for the lowly Cubs and won't become a free agent until after the 2015 season.

While it's unknown whether the Yankees would have the pieces attractive enough to entice Chicago to send the flame-thrower to The Bronx, it's obvious they have a need for starting pitching.

Three-fifths of the Yankees' ideal starting rotation — CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda — are on the disabled list. David Phelps and Chase Whitley have been mostly reliable fill-ins while Vidal Nuno has been far less than impressive.

The Yankees got an up-close look at Samardzija when he pitched seven scoreless innings against them at Wrigley Field May 21.

The trade deadline is July 31.