Chicago Cubs Trade Rumors: Two Young Sluggers on the Block
The rumor mill is running rampant with Chicago Cubs trade rumors. While we have heard several names being kicked around, it sounds like the Cubs are focusing in on two players in their conversations with other teams.
While there has been a lot of smoke surrounding Starlin Castro since the beginning of last season, it appears the Cubs are finding other teams are not willing to part with quality players in return for his services. This, as Ken Rosenthal reports, is causing the Cubs to become more creative in their efforts.
“The Cubs do not intend to move third baseman Kris Bryant, shortstop Addison Russell or left fielder Kyle Schwarber,” Rosenthal said, “but will at least explore the trade interest they are getting in right fielder Jorge Soler and infielder Javier Baez.”
I’ve talked about dealing Jorge Soler at nauseum this offseason, not because I don’t like him but because he makes the most sense to deal. Baez fits that same mold as well. A young controlled slugger, that already has shown the ability to play multiple positions well, and has incredible potential offensively. Fans and other GMs alike drool over having the ability to add players of Soler or Baez’s ability.
The blueprint really seems to be, sign a big free agent pitcher and trade for a young stud pitcher, who the Cubs can control for years to come. Whether the Cubs land a huge fish in David Price or Zack Greinke, or if they go after one of the secondary guys like Jordan Zimmermann or Johnny Cueto, it does appear like the Cubs wants to trade to add that other arm for the 2016 season and beyond.
Cubs GM, Jed Hoyer was recently on WSCR-AM 670 where he spoke candidly about conversations the team has had.
“We probably had pretty serious discussions with maybe a dozen, maybe 15 teams at the Meetings.” Hoyer told Bruce Levine and Mark Esposito, “Obviously some of whom we felt right away were really good matches. Some we felt like just make sure we stay in touch with.”
“We try to stay in touch with the dozen or so that you might really have a match with. We do have a good match with, matches with teams that really like our young hitters,” Hoyer continued. “That’s our strength. We are certainly not looking to move our strength. At the same time we have a commodity that is rare and so a lot of teams do check in with us.”
However the team goes about acquiring additional pitching talent, they certainly need more quality starters. If the Cubs are going to compete with teams like the St Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, and even teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, they need front-end firepower to continue to give themselves a fighting chance. Luckily the Cubs would be trading from a position of strength, young controllable hitters, which should be able to net them huge returns.
Again, we will continue to monitor the trade front as things continue to heat up in the hit stove league.
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