Chicago Cubs: Several former Chicago hurlers could be low-cost trade targets

Dan Straily – MIA – 103.1 IP, 3.31 ERA, 3.99 FIP, 1.8 WAR

Contract: 1 year/$552K, arbitration eligible: 2018, free agency: 2021

Part of the trades that brought both Addison Russell and Dexter Fowler to Chicago, Dan Straily spent all of seven games in a Cubs uniform back in 2014. And, to be blunt, it wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience. In an admittedly small sample size, he pitched to an 11.84 ERA in 13 2/3 innings of work.

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In 2016, Straily joined the Cincinnati Reds and pitched well. He made 31 starts and added three relief appearances, racking up a career-high 191 1/3 innings. His 3.76 ERA and 1.186 WHIP came in solid, but if you look at his 2.22 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 4.88 FIP, you have to be at least a little less optimistic.

Last winter, Cincinnati dealt Straily to the Miami Marlins for a trio of players. The right-hander has continued to pitch well in South Florida as a 28-year-old, already posting a 1.8 WAR according to Fangraphs. His 3.31 ERA, even lower than with the Reds last season, matches up more closely with a 3.99 FIP.

The Pros

Straily is familiar with Chicago – although he never under with current manager Joe Maddon. The right-hander continues to establish himself the more time he spends in the big leagues.

He’s cheap, controllable and has a relatively low workload on his arm.

The Cons

He gets himself into trouble with walks and, apart from 2017, hasn’t really put it all together over the course of the full season. His peripherals leave some legitimate questions, and he’s never played for a contender.