2 realistic trade targets the Cubs could pivot to with Tatsuya Imai off the board

Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs have shown a complete unwillingness to step even an inch outside their comfort zone in recent offseasons. A refusal to include early opt-outs or defer money has the front office working with one hand behind its back at all times - and it's led to countless misses on top free-agent targets.

We're talking about one of the most profitable - and valuable - franchises not only in Major League Baseball, but all of professional sports. For the better part of a decade, now, Tom Ricketts has refused to give Hoyer a budget commensurate with either of those things, forcing him to think more like the Cleveland Guardians or Milwaukee Brewers than the New York Yankees or Philadelphia Phillies.

That significant financial advantage is arguably the most valuable differentiator Chicago has over the rest of the National League Central - but it's one they won't leverage, for reasons that, frankly, are more difficult to explain with each passing year. But knowing how they've operated of late, let's re-focus our sights from the top of the market to a pair of trade candidates that feel more realistic than the likes of MacKenzie Gore and Edward Cabrera.

2 potential Cubs trade fits the fanbase won't get excited about

Nick Pivetta

The San Diego Padres hit the jackpot when they signed Nick Pivetta to a four-year, $55 million deal last offseason. The contract is extremely backloaded - meaning the Friars paid the right-hander a mere $1.75 million last year, and it just so happened to be the best season of his career.

Pivetta, 32, emerged as a dominant force in the Padres' rotation, finishing sixth in NL Cy Young voting after turning in a career-high 181 2/3 innings of 2.87 ball. San Diego's payroll situation remains unclear and shedding that contract could open the door to other possibilities in the offseason's closing months.

The acquisition cost shouldn't be too outrageous, given Pivetta can opt out of the rest of his deal after both the 2026 and 2027 seasons. If he replicates what he did last year in San Diego, he'll undoubtedly test the waters of free agency next winter, looking to cash in on one more large multi-year deal before he hits the wrong side of 35.

Pablo Lopez

The only reason Pablo Lopez is still a member of the Minnesota Twins is because he was injured when the front office and ownership stripped things down to the studs. Even trading him now, the Twins would be selling low on the right-hander, but if the return is right, they might still move the right-hander and the $43.5 million left on his deal.

Under team control through 2027 at $21.75 million anually, Lopez made just 14 starts last year, battling through multiple injuries. When he was on the mound, though, he put up strong numbers: a 2.74 ERA, 3.19 FIP, 1.110 WHIP and156 ERA+ in 75 2/3 innings of work. The 29-year-old has been an intriguing name for a number of teams in trade rumors in recent years and could be a fit for the Cubs.

At his best, maybe he's a #2 starter - but let's be clear: he's not the ace the Cubs should be pursuing. But for Chicago to get that type of arm, they're either going to have to put up the money or prospects - neither of which is something we've really ever seen Jed Hoyer do apart from last winter's Kyle Tucker trade.