Now that the Chicago Cubs have addressed their bullpen with the acquisitions of Aroldis Chapman and Mike Montgomery, they've shifted focus to another area of need: the outfield.
The Cubs have had talks with the Oakland A's about right fielder Josh Reddick, according to sources. Along with Cincinnati's Jay Bruce and Colorado's Carlos González, Reddick is on a short list of prominent outfield bats who could be dealt prior to Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline.
In addition to the Cubs, the Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are looking to add outfielders, according to sources.
Bruce has a higher probability of moving than Gonzalez, as the Reds are more prepared than the Rockies to undertake a comprehensive rebuild. Also, the Rockies are reluctant to move Gonzalez within the National League West to the Giants or Dodgers.
The Giants' interest in adding an outfielder is mitigated somewhat by the team's belief that Hunter Pence will return to the active roster relatively soon. The St. Louis Cardinals have checked into the outfield market, too, but Randal Grichuk and Tommy Pham are performing well this month in a center-field time share.
• James Shields is an unlikely re-entrant to the midseason trade market, but sources say the Chicago White Sox have made him available nonetheless.
Shields won't demand a price tag comparable to fellow White Sox starters Chris Sale and José Quintana, but his value is on the rise. Shields has a 1.71 ERA and a .659 opponents' OPS over his past six starts.

Given the widespread need for starting pitchers, general manager Rick Hahn could seize the opportunity to move Shields, who isn't as cost-prohibitive now as the last time he was traded, from San Diego to Chicago on June 4. Because of cash included by the Padres in that deal, the White Sox are obligated to pay Shields only $10 million in 2017 and '18, along with a $2 million buyout.
If a trade happens, Shields would have the rare distinction of drawing a paycheck from three organizations at the same time.
• Trade talks surrounding Andrew Cashner have intensified over the past several days, and it's likely that Tuesday's start in Toronto was his last for the San Diego Padres.

A quality start on the road -- six innings, three earned runs -- against the big-swinging Blue Jays should fortify Cashner's standing in the minds of evaluators, particularly those from American League clubs. The Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins are among the teams that have spoken with the Padres recently about Cashner.
• Tuesday wasn't much fun for the Washington Nationals. Chapman was in uniform as a Chicago Cub for the first time, after the Nationals were unsuccessful in their efforts to acquire him. Then Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon blew a save opportunity in Cleveland.
As a result, there was plenty of industry chatter Wednesday morning that the Nats had redoubled their efforts to add a late-inning reliever. They've scouted Kansas City closer Wade Davis recently, among others.