Chicago ? Nomar Watch was the talk of Wrigley Field on Thursday as the idea of Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra wearing a Cubs uniform gathered steam.

The rumored three-way deal between the Cubs, Boston and Arizona might merely be talk, but the Cubs continue to show interest in the top available shortstop expected on the market.

General manager Jim Hendry sidestepped questions about Garciaparra before Thursday’s game, saying he’s exploring several options.

“If we have a chance where we think it makes us better, we’ll try to act on it,” Hendry said.

Tom Werner, one of Boston’s owners, told the Boston Globe the Red Sox are happy with Garciaparra and don’t feel any pressure to deal him before the July 31 trading deadline.

“If we made a deal it would only be to strengthen our position for the next two months,” Werner said. “But we don’t want to do something stupid.”

But Garciaparra can leave Boston as a free agent after the season, and he’s unhappy with the club for trying to include him in a deal involving Alex Rodriguez last winter.

Cubs second baseman Todd Walker, who played with Garciaparra last year, believes he would be a smooth fit.

“This team is similar to Boston,” Walker said. “It’s the same thing. Absolutely he’d fit in. He has been through the wars and he’d handle this very well.”

Garciaparra is hitting .327 with four homers and 16 RBIs since returning from Achilles tendinitis June 9.

“I’ve talked to him a couple of times this year,” Walker said. “We’re good buddies, played last year up the middle together.”