Update 13:28 PST: ESPN Chicago refutes reports about the Yankees inquiry about Zambrano.

• Zambrano has a full no-trade clause in his contract that runs through 2012.
• And a Cubs source told ESPNChicago.com there is nothing to the speculation at this point.
• Any deal the Cubs would make for a pitcher of Zambrano’s caliber would have to include young pitching coming back.
• The Cubs are in need of an outfielder, and the Yankees have an outfield surplus with the addition of Curtis Granderson.
• ESPN Chicago speculates, that if the Cubs were to trade Zambrano to New York, a pitcher like Phil Hughes and/or Joba Chamberlain would have to be included.

12:27 PST: The NY Post reported that the New York Yankees have inquired about Cub’s pitcher Carlos Zambrano, but the Cub’s asking price is too high so the Yankees will probably go down the free agent route.

• Yankees GM Brian Cashman has expressed interest in Jason Marquis (this was before he signed with the Nationals today).
• The Yankees could be interested in Ben Sheets, but his previous injuries may be too much of a gamble for the team.
• Adding another starter would allow the Yankees to keep Phil Hughes in the bullpen for 2010 or have Hughes claim the fifth spot in the rotation and have Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the Barry Praver, agent for Carlos Zambrano, issued a statement regarding the Yankees and Zambrano.

• Praver has not heard from Cub’s GM Jim Hendry about a possible deal.
• Zambrano has a full no-trade clause and would need to approve any trade.
• “Jim has not approached us about Carlos waiving the no trade provision of his contract nor is Carlos interested in waiving it,” Praver said.