Remember ARod has the right to veto any trade and there have been several reports that he has no interest in playing for the Cubs. The Yankees can only negotiate in good faith with only those teams that ARod would agree playing for.

Apparently, ARod's primary interest is getting a championship and proving he can deliver in the post season, and the Cubs are nowhere near challenging for the play-offs. It doesn't matter that Piniella is with the Cubs. Moreover, Zambrano is the Cubs' only dependable starter, and pitching is their greatest need. Essentially, the Cubs do not become a better team by getting ARod and losing Zambrano.

With ARod's no-trade clause, the list of teams, to which he may be dealt, is very limited. These teams know it, meaning that it would be a buyers' market for his services.