Cubs rumors: Francisco Liriano, Shaun Marcum, Daisuke Matsuzaka

The Chicago Cubs are likely to target starting pitchers with promise or track records of success that are coming off of bad years due to injury or inefficiency, reports Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com:

Shaun Marcum is one. Pitchers coming off injury or bad years that will take one or two year deal is probably the direction the Cubs will go.

Beyond Shaun Marcum, Levine says the Cubs could be interested in free agent pitchers such as Joe Blanton, Jeff Francis, Francisco Liriano, Brandon McCarthy and Daisuke Matsuzaka. He believes Chicago would target this type of pitcher because they will be affordable yet have upside.

Levine notes that entering the offseason the Cubs have said they’re hoping to sign "some veteran pitchers to short-term contracts" that would provide their starting rotation "some credibility" heading into next year.

While the Cubs aren’t expected to compete in 2013, they could ink several veteran arms and look to flip them at the trade deadline in order to acquire more young talent. This is what they did over the summer with left-hander Paul Maholm, who they signed last winter.