Two Cubs pitching prospects viewed as top trade pieces |
With every passing day and the Cubs yet to do anything via free agency, the clock is ticking as fans grow restless. Sure, signing Craig Counsell was not only a massive shock, but also a massive win for this organization, but they still need to put a strong product around him for him to be as successful as he possibly can.
As things stand today, the Cubs are the only team not to make an MLB signing this offseason, and that has to be concerning for many of the fans. However, all may not be lost as Rhys Hoskins and Cody Bellinger continue to have their names linked to the Cubs, and with how their negotiations are playing out, they might end up with the Cubs at some point. Even if that happens, there are so many holes on this roster that need to be addressed, and one of those happens to be in the starting rotation. Currently, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, and Jameson Taillon are the only locks heading into the season, with several others vying for the final two spots. Unless the Cubs sign a free agent or make a trade, they will once again enter the season with an unproven rotation, and that isn't what you want from this team. If free agency is the way to go, Blake Snell and Shota Imanaga are the best options, but given the team's recentness to do long-term deals, does it make sense for the Cubs to sign either of them? I would say yes, but given how this team operates, you could be looking at a trade to fill the rotational needs. Shane Bieber is a name that keeps popping up, but given what the Guardians are asking, the Cubs may find the price too steep. You also have Corbin Burnes as an option, along with four outstanding young arms for the Seattle Mariners, as the Cubs need to do something soon. Whoever they trade for won't come easy, and considering how good the Cubs' farm system has been, you can bet a lot of teams will be asking for high-priced talent. According to a recent report by The Athletic, if the Cubs are willing to trade for pitching, they would be willing to part ways with prospects from a position of strength, which happens to be the young pitching they have acquired. Cade Horton and Jordan Wicks appear untouchable, but the same can't be said for Ben Brown and Hayden Wesneski, who seem to be prime trade candidates for this organization. “There are position players who are asked about often in trade discussions," Sahadev Sharma wrote. "But the bet here is that one, if not both of Wesneski and Brown, are moved in a deal to add major-league talent before the 2024 season begins.” Neither was drafted by the Cubs as Wesneski was acquired for Scott Effross in 2022, with Brown coming to Chicago in the David Robertson deal the same season. Both have big arms with starter potential, but their inexperience and sometimes lack of command have kept them back. Brown is critical to any trade talks at this point, as he is listed as the Cubs' No. 2 pitching prospect and checks in at No. 6 overall. Going a bit further, he is hovering around the top 100 ranks, so you can see how the league feels about him. Brown is armed with a 95-97 MPH heater that has touched 99 MPH several times, but his change-up and slider combination stands out as he has two of the better-offspeed pitches in the minors. Brown was a dominating force in his first eight months with the Cubs, but after going through some injury issues this season, he was moved to the pen to finish the season. Now healthy again, all eyes will be on him for 2024 and how much more development he can take. Wesneski seems like the more sure-thing option regarding MLB-ready talent, as he has appeared in more than 30 MLB games the past two seasons, with 15 coming as starts. Although the results were better in 2022 than in 2023, Wesneski is still just 25 years old and has the live arm that teams look for. Like Brown, he sits in the 94-96 MPH range, but was consistently touching 98 MPH when they moved him to the pen late in the season. However, his slider has been his go-to pitch, and it will continue to be one of the best pitchers in the game if he can throw strikes. That was his biggest issue last season as Wesneski struggled to locate his fastball consistently, making him vulnerable to throw his slider. With two spots in the rotation currently open, expect Wesneski to get a crack at one of those come opening day unless the Cubs move him for better options before spring. Either way, the Cubs have indicated that they won't hesitate to deal from within if it comes from a position of strength.
