The Toronto Blue Jays have been active in selling off some pieces early this season and if they look to trade Ken Giles, the Chicago Cubs could have interest
The Chicago Cubs are 11th in bullpen ERA, have recorded just eight saves, are 20th in strikeouts and are 13th in batting average against. Brandon Morrow and Pedro Strop are currently on the shelf with injuries. As they have improved their record, one are the team is looking to sure up is the bullpen. One player who could be of interest is Toronto Blue Jays’ reliever, Ken Giles.
On Inside the Clubhouse @670TheScore Jays broadcaster Buck Maritinez confirmed the Cubs have asked about the availability of closer Ken Giles
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) May 18, 2019
The 28-year-old Giles was a part of the trade last year that sent Roberto Osuna to the Houston Astros after his struggles last year.
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Giles has gotten off to a good start this year, recording eight saves for the Blue Jays with a 1.47 ERA, a 1.58 FIP and a K Rate of 13.75 per 9, which is back to where he was a couple of seasons ago. He’s using his slider a lot more this year, upping his rate from 41% to over 48%. His fastball velocity, strikeout percentage, xBA and xwOBA are all in the top three percent of baseball.
If Giles continues to pitch this way, he will be one of the more sought after arms in the trade market. Teams, like the Chicago Cubs, will be lining up to get him.
Giles makes a ton of sense for the Chicago Cubs since he would provide some back end help to a banged up bullpen. The extra year of team control is an added bonus. The question is, do the Chicago Cubs have the trade assets to get him? They don’t have the farm system that they used to and it could be harder for them to acquire the pieces that they need to help them get back into the postseason.
Ken Giles makes a ton of sense for the Chicago Cubs to help their bullpen. With a more than active trade market with an earlier deadline, maybe the time is now for them to strike for bullpen help.