MLB Trade Rumors: Chicago Cubs Looking for Another Starting Pitcher?
The Chicago Cubs have been the busiest team this MLB offseason, signing three big-name free agents and making one significant trade. However, the Cubs are still in search for additional pitching that will solidify their rotation.
According to the Cheat Sheet, there are at least three teams that can be a potential trade partner for Theo Epstein and the rest the Chicago front office: the Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays. The most likely candidates to be traded are outfielder Jorge Soler and second baseman Javier Baez.
The Indians made Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar available this offseason, but no teams have been able to acquire any of the cost-effective starters. Jon Morosi of FOX Sports noted on Twitter that the Cubs have already inquired about Carrasco and Salazar.
Morosi added that Chicago has also shown interest on the Padres Tyson Ross. However, San Diego prefers unloading James Shields' contract but the Cubs have no interest in him while former Cubs pitcher Andrew Cashner has also been made available.
According to CBS Sports, the Rays have discussed a trade with Chicago early in December and during the Winter Meetings regarding a deal involving Javier Baez and starting pitching. The rumored proposal has Tampa Bay sending reliever Brad Boxberger or Jake McGee along with starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi and Drew Smyly.
ChicagoNow notes that even if the Cubs don't get an additional starter, the team's rotation is still better than that of last season. 2015 NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta is the undeniable ace of the rotation with Jon Lester and the newly signed, John Lackey as veteran anchors. Jason Hammel and Kyle Kendrick are solid back-end starters with Trevor Cahill and recently acquired Adam Warren as possible spot starters.
The Cubs are listed as the co-favorites with the San Francisco Giants to win the NL and the World Series in 2016, per Bovada. The reason is the addition of Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist to bolster the defense and add more offense.
Sahadev Sharma of Baseball Prospectus has called Chicago's offseason nearly perfect, but with the front office still active in finding another starter, the Cubs may very well become a team without flaws. The team is a mix of tried and tested veterans, young players with playoff experience already, and a proven manager in Joe Maddon.
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