Chicago Cubs: Better options loom over Justin Verlander

Thanks, but no thanks

Short of the Tigers eating most of the owed salary to Verlander, there’s no way the Cubs make a trade. Especially also considering the names that the Tigers might want in return.

In the midst of a season that so far looks anything but a lock for the Cubs, there are better strategies Theo Epstein and co. can employ.

With this season, and specifically, the future in mind.

Having won the World Series in 2016, no case can be made for any thought of needing to go all in. Not that Verlander of today would be the guy you go all in with.

While the Cubs’ reported inquiring of Verlander could be nothing more than just checking in for checking in’s sake, a hard look at the 2017 Verlander, and financial commitment aside, further indicate why the buck stops there.

As the Chicago Cubs’ persistent rotation issues present, Epstein is in the market for controllable arms. There’s no reason to throw the kitchen sink at an aging pitcher, owed an exorbitant amount of money, yielding Jekyll & Hyde results.

Next: Trading for Span may (not) be an answer for Cubs