Source: Cubs internally discussing acquiring Daniel Bard

The Chicago Cubs have had preliminary internal discussions about the possibility of acquiring reliever Daniel Bard from the Red Sox, a source has confirmed to MLB Daily Dish.

It is unclear at this time if the team will express serious interest in the coming days, but the club is at least discussing the possibility of bringing Bard to Chicago.

Bard, 28, was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Sunday in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for the newly-acquired Quintin Berry.

He has struggled with control all season at different levels of the Red Sox' system, and the team decided to finally cut ties with the former star setup man.

In sixteen appearances in the low levels of the team's system, Bard was 0-1 with a 6.46 ERA and 27 walks in 15.1 innings of work, in what amounts to an astonishing 15.8 BB/9 ratio. Bard also made two appearances in the majors this season, surrendering one earned run and two walks in an inning of work.

Because Bard was one of the best relievers in baseball from 2009-2011 (2.88 ERA, 213 strikeouts in 197 innings), he will likely be picked up on waivers by a team looking to capitalize on a change-of-scenery candidate.

The rebuilding Cubs, led by former Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and assistant general manager Jed Hoyer, would seem to be a perfect fit to take on a project like Bard.

Others have speculated that teams like the Padres, Mets and Blue Jays could take a flyer on Bard, who will either be claimed off waivers, traded, released or outrighted to the minor leagues (if he clears waivers) in the next ten days.

More from MLB Daily Dish:

• Mets sign Aaron Harang to minor league deal
• Diamondbacks acquire Matt Langwell from Indians
• Dodgers acquire Michael Young from Phillies
• Red Sox acquire John McDonald from Phillies
• Justin Morneau trade reactions: Pirates bolster lineup, Twins add depth
• September Promotion Tracker