Cubs might not be done yet; club could move Castillo, chase Gomes

SAN DIEGO — What’s next for the Cubs after they pulled off baseball’s biggest deal of the offseason during an especially productive week of winter meetings?

While team officials predict they will continue to be linked to big free agents and trade scenarios the rest of the winter in the rumor mill, the reality, sources say, is that the remainder of their business will be involved in filling smaller needs and building depth.

After acquiring All-Star catcher Miguel Montero, they’re testing the trade market for Welington Castillo, with several teams, including the Phillies asking about him.

The Phillies also are believed to be interested in another potential Cubs trading piece, left-hander Travis Wood – who has drawn interest from multiple teams, including the Giants.

The Phillies could offer a young outfielder such as lefty-hitting Ben Revere — a base-stealing, .291 career hitter who could be a fourth outfielder. Highly ranked corner infield prospect Maikel Franco could also be a fit.

The Cubs aren’t in a rush to trade Castillo. But if they deal him, Lester’s former catcher and good friend David Ross is said to be willing to wait to sign if it means a chance to rejoin his pal. The free agent also is considered a strong clubhouse influence.

Another one of those clubhouse types, free-agent outfielder Jonny Gomes — another Lester pal and former teammate — has been linked to the Cubs in multiple reports. Sources close to him say the Cubs are at or near the top of his wish list, especially since hiring his former Tampa Bay manager, Joe Maddon.

The love appears mutual. “I’ve got a man crush on him,” Maddon said of Gomes, who was part of the Rays’ 2008 pennant winner.

But it’s unclear how highly the Cubs prioritize him in their outfield plans.

The Cubs also hope to add bullpen depth and are in the market for another starter — but forget another big ticket.

Think low-risk, one-year guys such as Justin Masterson.

They also would be eager to move free-agent bust Edwin Jackson, who has two years, $22 million left on his four-year deal. But sources say discussions involving him are almost nonstarters, even with the assumption the Cubs will pick up a sizeable portion of the contract.

A bad contract-for-bad contract trade might be possible, but one rumored possibility, with Braves outfielder B.J. Upton, doesn’t offer much appeal to the Cubs with three years and more than $46 million left on his deal.

One thing the Cubs aren’t looking to do is dangle any of their bigger prospects to fill some of their needs. They were able to avoid that even in the trade this week with the Diamondbacks for Montero, sending a pair of Class A pitchers and taking the $40 million left on Montero’s deal.

“We’re aware of what we’re growing,” team president Theo Epstein said of the long-term vision. “We haven’t given up any of our most significant prospects in these deals. We haven’t given up a draft pick in these deals [the Jon Lester deal required no compensation pick]. We’ve preserved our future.”