Chicago Cubs Rumors: Five potential Wrigley-bound trade options
The Chicago Cubs were unable to reach the National League Championship Series for the fourth straight season following a loss to the Colorado Rockies in the NL Wild Card game last season. Nonetheless, the team is still in win-now mode and the front office will be looking at all possible upgrade options this offseason in heavy Cubs rumors.
The Chicago Cubs finished last season tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in the NL Central division. Unfortunately for the Cubs, they were sent to the NL Wild Card game after the Brewers were triumphant during the tie-breaking game 163 to win the division. To make things worse, the team also fell short in the NL Wild Card game to abruptly end their postseason hopes.
Despite having home-field advantage in both one-game playoffs, the Cubs were only able to put together a combined two runs in their short-lived postseason appearance. The poor display of offense during these two one-game playoffs also spurred many questions on if the team needs to make significant roster changes or simply go into next season with the same group of players.
Although Cubs rumors have surfaced that Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are available in trade talks, it is very unlikely that either player will be moved during the current offseason. Even though this would be an optimal time to trade Rizzo, especially after he put together his fourth straight 100 RBI season in 2018, his offensive output is too valuable to the Cubs at this time.
On the other hand, as Bryant was only able to compile a meager 13 home runs and 52 RBI through 102 games last season, it would not make sense to move the versatile defender while his value is not at a lower level. Rizzo, Bryant, and Javier Baez also combine to form a very fearsome trio at the top of the Cubs lineup, so it makes far more sense to continue to build around these players instead of trying to trade one of them this offseason.
Due to this, the following five players are possible trade options for the Cubs as they look to make improvements to their team during the current offseason.
The Cincinnati Reds are expected to attempt to make moves during the current offseason that will allow them to compete next season. However, as one of their players has likely reached his peak trade value, it may make sense to move him in order to solve other issues on the roster.
Scooter Gennett earned his first All-Star game appearance last season as he compiled 56 XBHs, 86 Rs, and 92 RBI. With only two more years of team control remaining, Gennett has yet to sign an extension. Due to this, the Reds may be interested in moving him while his value is very high.
As Gennett holds a career slash-line of .289/.331/.456, he would provide a tremendous boost to the Cubs lineup. To make him even more appealing, Gennett was able to compile a .310 batting average last season alongside an .847 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Despite the two teams being in the same division, it is possible that they could come together for a mutually beneficial trade. After all, the front office of the Reds has made it clear that they are looking for additional starting pitching and the Cubs have a surplus in that area.
For example, during the 2018 season, the Cubs used twelve different starting pitchers. Even though the team recently traded Drew Smyly to the Texas Rangers, he was not included in that number due to missing each of the last two seasons. However, with Cole Hamels back in the fold, the Cubs could look to move either Jose Quintana or Mike Montgomery in order to make vast improvements to their offense.
The inclusion of one of these two pitchers could then create a base for a trade to bring in elite offense in the form of Gennett. Even though it would be difficult for the Cubs to move one of these pitchers, if they receive a bounce back year from Tyler Chatwood and/or Yu Darvish, this could very well turn out to be a great move for the North Side of Chicago.
The Miami Marlins are widely expected to be willing to move almost every player on their roster as they look to retool the franchise for a sustainable future. This could work to the benefit of the Chicago Cubs as they look to upgrade their offense ahead of next season.
Although it went mostly unnoticed, Starlin Castro had a very productive season for the Marlins. Through 154 games last season, he compiled 46 XBHs, 76 Rs, and 54 RBI. He also put together an impressive slash-line of .278/.329/.400.
Throughout his nine-year career, Castro holds a combined slash-line of .281/.321/.411. As his numbers from last season are very close to his career averages, it shows the level of consistency that Castro can bring to an offense.
Castro also put together a 3.4 oWAR last season, which was his highest number in this category since putting together a 4.1 oWAR in 2011 during his previous time with the Cubs. He also put together a 0.3 dWAR last season, which was his highest number in this category since putting together a 0.5 dWAR in 2015, also with the Cubs.
Castro has one year remaining on his current contract that he initially signed with the Cubs in which he is scheduled to earn roughly $12 million. He also has a $16 million team option for 2020 that comes with a $1 million buyout.
Even though last season was Castro’s 9th MLB season, he is still only 28-years-old. As a trade for Castro would not be prospect-costly for the Cubs due to the financial benefit for the Marlins by trading him, he should be heavily considered this offseason to help out on both offense and defense in Chicago next season.
As the Minnesota Twins enter a new era following the retirement of Joe Mauer, they may be open to moving a certain reliever that underperformed last season.
Prior to the 2018 season, Addison Reed signed a two-year contract worth roughly $16.7 million. After consecutive seasons of impressive performances, this contract seemed like a bargain for the Twins. However, after a mediocre season, the Twins may be interested in moving on from Reed.
Through 55 relief appearances, Reed compiled an unimpressive 4.50 ERA, a 5.11 FIP, and a 1.429 WHIP. Despite this poor showing, he could very well be a top bounce back candidate next season.
This is due to his past performance from 2016-2017 in which he compiled a very impressive 2.40 ERA, a 2.81 FIP, and a 0.996 WHIP through 157 relief appearances. During this time, he also compiled 167 strikeouts compared to only 28 walks through 153.2 innings pitched.
Reed also has prior experience as a full-time closer on the Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Red Sox. Between his solid experience as a closer and his solid middle relief experience, Reed could be a valuable piece for the Cubs bullpen next season.
As the Twins will likely want to remove his $8.5 million salary for 2019 from their payroll, the Cubs should not have to trade high level prospects to acquire the former closer. Due to this, the Cubs front office should take a risk and attempt to acquire Reed from the Twins to help further bolster their bullpen ahead of next season.
Much like the Cincinnati Reds, the Kansas City Royals intend to compete next season. Regardless of their intent to compete, the team has a very attractive trade piece that is likely garnering a wide-range of interest.
Whit Merrifield is definitely on the wish-list of many teams throughout Major League Baseball due to his very impressive offensive ability coupled with his versatile defensive ability. Despite the fact that he will turn 30-years-old before the start of next season, his contract situation is another plus as he is still in his pre-arbitration seasons.
Nonetheless, with a slash-line last season of .304/.367/.438, many teams would love to have Merrifield in the fold, regardless of his contract situation. To make him even more appealing, throughout his first three seasons at the MLB level, Merrifield holds a career slash-line of .293/.342/.437, which proves that his production last season may have not been an anomaly.
Even though Merrifield has yet to earn a trip to the All-Star game, he compiled an incredible 58 extra-base hits alongside 45 stolen bases in 2018. This enabled him to score 88 runs and drive in 60 runs. His .806 OPS also ranked 5th amongst MLB second baseman last season.
As Cubs manager Joe Maddon is known for getting the best out of each player in terms of increasing versatility, Merrifield would be a phenomenal addition to the team. For example, Merrifield has experience at first base, second base, third base, and all three outfield positions already throughout his career.
Despite the Royals desire to keep Merrifield, he is likely available at the right price as the team looks to retool now that players such as Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, and Lorenzo Cain are no longer in Kansas City. Due to this, the Cubs should be aggressive in attempts to acquire the versatile OPS machine in order to improve their offense as well as their defensive versatility while they remain in win-now mode.
As the San Francisco Giants play within a very tough National League West division, they may prefer to pursue a rebuild during the current offseason by moving veterans that are nearing the end of their contracts.
Madison Bumgarner has played his entire career with the Giants to this point. Although he won at least 13 games in each season from 2011 to 2016, he has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons that have hindered his ability to compile wins. Nonetheless, he is still a very effective pitcher with an incredibly impressive postseason resume.
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Through his first 10 MLB seasons, Bumgarner has compiled a 3.03 ERA, a 3.25 FIP, and a 1.108 WHIP. Although he has already compiled 1638.1 regular season innings pitched, Bumgarner will head into next season at only 29-years-old. Due to this, he should have plenty left in the tank.
During the 2018 season, he put together a 3.26 ERA, a 3.99 FIP, and a 1.242 WHIP through 129.2 innings pitched. Although these numbers are above his career averages, he still managed to compile 14 quality starts on the season. The ability of Bumgarner to give his team a chance to win each time he takes the mound makes him a valuable rotation option, despite any dip in statistics.
Bumgarner is also only scheduled to earn $12 million next season before he reaches free agency for the first time in his career. As a lot of players perform at their best prior to reaching free agency, he could very well be motivated enough to return to his normal All-Star form next season.
Although the Cubs already have a formidable starting rotation put together, adding Bumgarner would give them an incredible chance at winning the NL Central division. His career 8-3 record with a 2.11 ERA and 0.899 WHIP in the postseason would give the organization a great chance at returning to the World Series as well.
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Recap of Possible Wrigley-bound Trade Options:
1. Scooter Gennett – Reds
2. Starlin Castro – Marlins
3. Addison Reed – Twins
4. Whit Merrifield – Royals
5. Madison Bumgarner – Giants