Trade ideas involving Cubs and Rays |
Once the playoffs end and the official start to the offseason begins, there will be many teams and storylines related to baseball. However, the Chicago Cubs could be the biggest storyline as they enter another important offseason with plenty of challenges ahead.
Not only is this team coming off back-to-back 83-win seasons, but it has failed to make the playoffs for a fourth straight year, and if you take out the COVID season, it hasn't made the playoffs since 2018. Throw in an owner who doesn't want to surpass the first Luxury Tax Tier and a roster with so many no-trades or bad contracts, and the Cubs may be forced to run it back with virtually the same roster yet again. Unless several players take a massive step forward, running this exact team back isn't going to get this team to the playoffs and should they miss the postseason again things are going to be tough in Chicago. However, Jed Hoyer has admitted that he not only failed the organization last season, but knows he needs to add some talent for next season and has addressed some of the needs that he will be targeting. Fixing the bullpen and adding a power bat are two of the most significant areas that need to be addressed, but Hoyer also said he wants to add another starting pitcher to the mix. Depending on the Cody Bellinger opt-in or opt-out, it could determine how much money they spend, but trading for a pitcher could be a real possibility even if the Cubs are forced to dive into their prospect pool a bit. When talking about trades, especially when it comes to a starting pitcher, Seattle is the one team that makes a ton of sense. They not only have a plethora of arms but also could use some bats. While the Cubs don't have a ton of bats to give up, Nico Hoerner and Michael Busch are the two most logical options, as is Isaac Paredes, whom the Cubs acquired at the deadline last season. As tough as it would be, Hoerner seems like the most likely option to be traded at this point, but the Cubs do have some options to stick at second, including Busch, who came up through the Minors as a second baseman before moving to first in 2023. Another team that the Cubs could look into acquiring a starter from is the Tampa Bay Rays, as they not only have options but also have a good relationship with the Cubs regarding trades. After all, they gave the Cubs Paredes for Christopher Morel this season and have given the Cubs other players in the past. Tampa Bay is one of those teams known for pitching success and developing players, but given its low payroll, it is hard for it to keep players long-term. That is why it tends to sell its players while their value is high to keep the developmental pipeline rolling. Three names to consider when looking at Tampa would be Zach Littell, Drew Rasmussen, and Shane McClanahan. Littell is an interesting option. The 29-year-old just finished his first season as a full-time starter after pitching nearly 200 games out of relief. Across 29 starts this season, Littell logged 156 innings and posted a 3.63 ERA while going 8-10. He wasn't always given the best run support, so you can ignore that win-and-loss record. Despite hitters hitting .265 off him, which is a concern, Littell has great command. He walked 31 batters all season and struck out 141. These are the types of pitchers the Cubs have taken flyers on before, and more often than not, they have panned out.
The next two names on this list will be the ones Cubs fans are most familiar with, but they will also require the biggest haul.
We'll start with Drew Rasmussen, who dealt with his share of injuries this season. Also, at 29 years old, Rasmussen is different from your typical starter as he works more in an opener style, where he enters the game after the first inning.
For the season, he made just four starts while appearing in 18 games, but he was very good in those games, going 0-2 with a 2.83 ERA. Looking at his career body of work, Rasmussen has pitched in close to 100 games (50 of which were starts) and has gone 20-12 with a 2.95 ERA. He is one of those pitchers that the Cubs would love to have, but you have to wonder about the injuries and if he can settle into a non-opener pitching style.
McClanahan is the most intriguing option, and you have to wonder what it would take to get him. Armed with a 98-99 MPH heater and a wicked slurve-type breaking ball, McClanahan was one of the best lefties in the game for several years before having Tommy John surgery in 2023, which knocked him out for all of 2024.
Ready to return to the mound in 2025, McClanahan would give the Cubs another Ace-caliber starter to put in their rotation, and one coming off an 11-2 season in 2023 before the injury. He has also gone 33-16 for his career, with an ERA of just over 3.02. Adding him would be ideal, but you have to question whether or not the Cubs would want to roll with three lefties in their rotation.
If that isn't an issue, Jeffrey Springs could be the final option from the Rays as he is not only the oldest of the group at 32 but would most likely come with the smallest asking price. Primarily a reliever his entire career, going 23-12 with a 3.39 ERA, Springs had a chance to start sparingly this season as he went 2-2 across seven starts with a 3.27 ERA.
Unlike the other three who can bring the heat, Springs lives around 90-91 MPH with his fastball, and you have to wonder if the Cubs will want to take on another slower arm.
Regardless of what they do, the Cubs will have to get creative when it comes to adding to their roster, and pitching will be something they are looking to add.
