"Marlon Byrd, CF: There hasn't been much trade buzz surrounding Byrd, which is hard to figure. Byrd is entering the last year of his contract, and prospect Brett Jackson should be ready to start in center field for the Cubs in 2013. The Nationals, looking far and wide for an everyday center fielder, could be a fit; Washington has good organizational pitching depth, which is precisely what the Cubs need. The Marlins are an intriguing possibility, if they trade Hanley Ramirez and move Emilio Bonifacio to third base. The Reds, Giants, Cardinals and Mariners could upgrade in center field this offseason.

Matt Garza, RHP: Few available pitchers can match Garza's track record in the American League East. For that reason, he's particularly appealing to the Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays. The Cubs are maintaining a high price on Garza — and rightfully so. He's still two seasons away from free agency. Particularly if the Cubs sign Fielder, Garza could be the ace of a postseason-caliber rotation in 2013.

Alfonso Soriano, LF: It's the contract that never seems to end, and the Cubs must eat millions to move it. If Soriano were a free agent right now, the soon-to-be-36-year-old would be fortunate to get the three-year, $21 million contract Josh Willingham signed with the Twins. But Soriano's megadeal will provide him $54 million over the same three seasons. You do the math. Soriano, who has a full no-trade clause, makes the most sense for the Mariners or Indians — teams that need offense but have struggled to lure free-agent bats.

Carlos Zambrano, RHP: He's erratic. He's enigmatic. He's coming off the worst season of his career. And yet Zambrano should be motivated, in what amounts to a contract year. Which manager has the best chance to keep Zambrano focused? Miami's Ozzie Guillen, of course."