Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that a trade involving Marlon Byrd is unlikely at this point. Rosenthal confirms that the Cubs have indeed received calls on Byrd, with the Nationals, Braves and Phillies as potential fits, but he sees a midseason changing of the guard to Brett Jackson as more likely. The 34-year-old is owed $6.5 million, so the Cubs will likely have to cover most of his remaining salary in order to get anything of value in return.

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Nationals and Braves have expressed interest in acquiring Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd. Byrd is owed $6.5 million in 2012 and is a free agent in 2013, so he obviously doesn't fit into the Cubs' rebuilding plans. But the 34-year-old struggled to the tune of a .276/.324/.395 batting line last year and Chicago probably won't be able to get much in return. Reed Johnson, Joe Mather and Tony Campana would presumably share time in center if Byrd is dealt.

Marlon Byrd has dropped 40 pounds this winter through a dramatic change in his diet and a martial arts regimen called Muay Thai. Byrd saw nutritionist Robert Pastore in New York and made changes in his diet after it was determined that he's allergic to milk and wheat. Coupled with his use of Muay Thai, the 34-year-old now weighs 215 pounds after tipping the scales at 255 pounds at the end of last season. "The fat started melting away," said Byrd. "No more bloating, no more food sensitivities. My body just kicked into high gear and I was able to keep it revved up." Byrd is set to earn $6.5 million in 2012 before becoming a free agent next offseason. With top prospect Brett Jackson not far away from the big leagues, the veteran center fielder figures to be the subject of trade talks for the rebuilding Cubs.

ESPN's Buster Olney believes that the Red Sox and Nationals could have interest in trading for Marlon Byrd. The Cubs are in a rebuilding mode, and Byrd is entering the final year of a three-year contract that will guarantee him $6.5 million this season. Olney mentions that Byrd could be used as one piece of the Theo Epstein compensation with the Red Sox, but that is not considered likely to happen. Coming off a disappointing season, he would satisfy a short-term need for the Nationals.

Marlon Byrd delivered the game-winning run with a swinging bunt as the Cubs edged the Astros 4-3 in 12 innings Friday. The only problem is that the ball was actually foul: Astros third baseman Chris Johnson touched the roller with his glove and knocked it back into foul territory. It was such a close call that there's no blaming the umps for getting it wrong, but replays showed that it should have been ruled a foul ball.

Marlon Byrd ripped a two-run homer in Thursday's loss to the Reds. Byrd and Carlos Pena both had two-run blasts in the first inning and the Cubs didn't score again until getting to Reds closer CoCo Cordero for two in the ninth. The outfielder is batting only .186 this month.

Marlon Byrd went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Pirates. It's a sign of life for Byrd, but there's no reason to expect a sustained hot streak. Coming into today, he was hitting .275 with four homers and 13 RBI in 171 at-bats following the All-Star break. After the All-Star break last season, he hit .261 with three homers and 26 RBI in 249 at-bats.

Marlon Byrd went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI in Chicago's loss to the Reds on Sudnay. The two-baggers were his 17th and 18th of the season. Through 307 plate appearances, Byrd is hitting a solid .310/.352/.449.

Marlon Byrd went 2-for-4 with a two-run single Sunday in the Cubs' 6-3 win over the Cardinals. Now we know why the Cubs kept him. With tonight's victory, they're a mere 14 1/2 games back of the Brewers in the NL Central. Byrd, who has hit third, fifth and sixth for the Cubs, has just 18 RBI in 265 at-bats for the season.

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Cubs will not trade Carlos Pena or Marlon Byrd. They'll surely be willing to part with John Grabow if you're willing to give up your top prospect, though. In all seriousness, the Cubs' refusal to deal any of their players that could net them some nice prospects is simply baffling and an indefensible stance by GM Jim Hendry. But, then again, there's a reason why they haven't won a World Series in over 100 years.