Several major league teams are interested in acquiring Chicago Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija, and sources indicated that the Baltimore Orioles are the frontrunners in the race to acquire the right hander.

Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago believe that the Orioles is the most likely landing spot for Samardzija, with sources saying that the Cubs and the Orioles are mutually interested in striking a deal.

According to Levine, the Orioles, who are currently third in the American League East with their 26-25 record, are planning to strike a trade with the Cubs before the July 31 trade deadline in hopes of overtaking division leaders Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees.

"The Baltimore Orioles appear to be the leading team of interest in the sweepstakes for Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija, as sources confirmed the two teams are mutually interested," Levin wrote. "With the American League East up for grabs, the Orioles could separate themselves from the pack with a pre-emptive move before the trading deadline on July 31."

The Cubs are reportedly interested in Baltimore's young arms, which include right handers Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, and Hunter Harvey, along with left hander Eduardo Rodriguez.

Among the four pitching prospects, the Cubs are reportedly high on Bundy, who was the Orioles' fourth-overall pick in 2011, and was previously rated with a 70 fastball and 65 curve based on a 20-80 range.

Samardzija has a 1.68 ERA this season, but only has a 1-4 record. The 29-year-old ace is drawing the interest of several teams, and the Cubs are taking advantage as analyst are convinced that the six-year veteran doesn't fit Chicago's long-term plan.

Previous reports indicated that the Cubs were also in deep talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks last winter about a possible trade involving Samardzija, but the clubs failed to find a common ground.

Aside from the Orioles, the Yankees and the Blue Jays are also reportedly making a strong push to acquire Samardzija, and more teams are expected to get into the picture especially once talks between the Orioles and Cubs intensify in the next several weeks.