Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton throws to the plate against the Colorado Rockies during Friday’s game in Denver. AP

DENVER — Outside of a small inner circle, no one got to see the full array of options presented to the Cubs at Major League Baseball’s trade deadline. But club officials say rival teams constantly asked about Cade Horton and Matt Shaw, who are already key contributors to a real playoff contender.

The general framework also did not form around a potential one-for-one deal at the July 31 deadline. To acquire an established starting pitcher under multiple years of club control, the Cubs contend they would’ve had to trade a National League Rookie of the Year candidate plus some of their best prospects. That concept was a nonstarter.

Over the next month, the Cubs identified

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