Crazy Cubs Trade Rumors are Very True
There has been a lot of talk around baseball, and in particular Chicago Cubs blogs, about the Cubs and the New York Yankees discussing a trade for either Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. While we have discussed this possibility, Miller more so than Chapman, the haul of prospects and MLB ready talent was too much in our eyes for the Cubs to consider it. With the thought of giving up Kyle Schwarber, plus additional prospects seemed too far a reach for 60-70 innings of work, regardless of how dominate.
This is why the talks had the feel of something that wouldn’t happen. I mean, any discussion that starts with Schwarber ends right there as well. While Kyle has 35+ homerun potential, and is projected by some to carry a high average for a slugger, is his return only a bullpen arm?
Perhaps, if that return was two arms.
I didn’t buy into the rumors, however it is my responsibility to discuss them, on the Cubs seriously pursuing one of these elite relievers. I assumed that this was mostly talk, which any good front office has hundreds of conversations for the mere purpose of keeping a pulse on any options they may have at their disposal. I thought, and wrote that the Cubs would eventually look towards secondary guys to bloster their bullpen.
Well, now that Phil Rogers covered the trade talks on MLB.com, 100% confirming that the two teams are seriously discussing a trade for possibly both, Miller and Chapman, it has me believing that this is more and more likely something that can happen. This also makes a ton more sense to have Schwarber’s name included in those conversations.
While fans have mostly been reluctant to consider any deal with Kyle, one which brings back both Chapman and Miller solidifies the Cubs pen, makes the team 10x more unbeatable.
We just need to look at what the Kansas City Royals did in last seasons playoffs as proof. Because they were able to shorten games by being next to impossible to score on after the sixth inning, they also – and more importantly – outscored their opposition in those later innings.
Take the Cubs postseason run last year compared to the Royals run. While you couldn’t point to any pitcher on the Cubs getting shelled, they did have a minus-6 run differential once their relievers entered games. The Royals on the otherhand finished the playoffs with a plus-22 differential. In retrospect, the Cubs have a plus-33 differential after the sixth inning in 63 games this season.
While good, compared to the rest of the league, the Cubs seventh, eighth and ninth inning run differential would actually be tied for eighth highest in baseball. If you add two pieces of Chapman’s and Miller’s ability the Cubs could become virtually impossible to beat after the sixth inning. Imagine a game that has Pedro Strop coming in during the sixth inning? Or Andrew Miller locking down Matt Adams in a close game in the seventh? Then you have to face the 97 MPH heat of Hector Rondon or the 100 MPH fastball from Aroldis Chapman back-to-back in the eighth and ninth innings?
The game would be over.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon recently mentioned how important the backend of a bullpen is, especially in the cases of matchups late in games.
“If there’s any real positive to having definite seventh-, eighth- and ninth-inning guys with the lead, it’s that they know to get up, get ready, get in,” Maddon said.
Sure without Chapman or Miller the Cubs are on pace for a 110 win season. Sure the Cubs will more than likely be the end-to-end top dog on any MLB power rankings list. Sure the Cubs will be the odds on favorite to win the World Series with or without the pair of lefty relievers.
But wouldn’t their chances be all that much better with them?
I love the Cubs & I love Kyle Schwarber, but if they could get TWO arms and win a World Series by trading him, then I don’t have a problem with it!