Jed Hoyer

It is no secret that the Chicago Cubs have spent the past three seasons trading away their best starting pitching for offensive prospects and draft picks. A number of those prospects -- Arismendy Alcantara, Javier Baez, Jorge Soler -- have found themselves in the Major Leagues this season with many more -- Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber -- still…

Do the Chicago Cubs want to keep starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija or trade him? Does Samardzija want to stay or leave? These lingering questions still have no final answer, but the Cubs have made steps toward trying to address them. CBS Sports.com' Jon Heyman reported Wednesday afternoon that the Cubs have offered Samardzija a five-year contract…