Chicago Cubs Rumors: Yu Darvish, Zach Britton, both or neither?

Yu Darvish – Texas Rangers – Signed through 2017

When the Cubs traded for Aroldis Chapman last year, they knew it was one of their only needs in their run at a championship. This season, it’s not as easy. What was a weakness for most of the year–the rotation–has been excellent to start the second half. The strength–the bullpen–has looked less impressive than it had earlier in the year. And the offense? When you aren’t playing from behind, it makes things easier. So where do they need the help at most?

Darvish has been an All-Star in four of his five seasons (Missed 2015 after Tommy John). With a career WAR of 19, Darvish has been at the least, a dependable starter. His career record of 52-38 doesn’t stand out, but his 3.32 ERA does–especially since he’s spent his entire career in the American League. His strikeout totals are down from last year (11.8 to 9.7), but his WHIP (1.118) and his BB/9 (2.9) are below his career average.

Some don’t want another rental

Here’s the rub for most. He’s a rental. When you look at Chapman, people were fine with it. We gave up a lot, but we got a guy that helped us win the World Series. But when I look at the comments on social media, many don’t want another rental. They want a player under team control–like Jose Quintana–to help rebuild what’s expected to be a rotation that will lose Jake Arrieta and John Lackey.

The Rangers could very well do what the Yankees did last year. Trade Darvish for prospects, then outbid everyone and re-sign him next year. Then they rebuild the system and get Darvish back. But the question is if the Rangers even WANT to deal him. It may take the “perfect” deal to blow them away to make the deal.

Zach Britton – Baltimore Orioles – Signed through 2017 (Arb. Eligible in ’18)

Britton has been rumored as one of the Cubs “top targets,” with some implying their sources say it will happen. This is the type of deal the Cubs made last year, except they would have control over Britton for another season. Hector Rondon had been a good closer, but the Cubs thought they could do better–and they did. This doesn’t mean that Wade Davis would move from the closer role. But with the left-handed Britton, Maddon could go based on matchups. Your closer is your closer. And while Davis remains perfect in save opportunities (19 of 19), they’ve gotten a little bit more intriguing lately.

In the last four seasons, Britton has saved 125 of 133 opportunities–including a perfect 47 for 47 last season. But there are questions with him. Britton missed from April to early July after a forearm strain kept him out. Since his return, he’s allowed four earned runs in seven innings. And he’s allowed a hit in all but one of those seven appearances. That might not sound like the end of the world. But last year he allowed just four earned runs ALL SEASON.

O’s want a revenge deal?

The Orioles will want a solid return, and they might still be angry about that whole Arrieta and Pedro Strop deal. And Britton is arbitration eligible. With the numbers he’s put up, that salary will only go up next season. But what if the Cubs give it up, and Britton gets hurt again? It’s possible that after being out almost three months that he’s rusty. The velocity is there; the command has not been. So there might not be a lingering issue, but he’s not been as lockdown as he was in previous years. However, if he does put it together, the Cubs backend of the bullpen may become one of the best in the game.

Will Epstein pull the trigger on one, both or neither?

Before the Cubs won the World Series, the front office talked about how they were building a team that could contend for years to come. Winning the World Series was the start. But a slow beginning to the 2017 season had some people wondering if this was more of a “one and done” and not a dynasty. It’s been just eight games so far, but the start has reignited the belief that this very well could be a dynasty. The Cubs felt they had the pieces “already in the clubhouse” to win; they just needed to perform. Quintana was a significant addition, but this hasn’t been all because of him.

It’s all about the next nine days

This stretch combined with the next nine days could be the deciding factor. The Cubs have already taken it from 5 1/2 games down to just a one game gap. There are other possibilities the Cubs could examine. Sonny Gray‘s name is still out there. But he would come at an even higher cost than these two. And while there are “sources” that believe these will happen, I’ll believe it when I see it. The Quintana deal caught many of us by surprise, mostly because it was with the White Sox.

Next: Avila would be a perfect fit

I’m leery of saying that the Cubs could pull off both of these deals. But there is still talent in the Cubs farm system. Would the Cubs want to “empty” it for these two? My belief lies in the Cubs scouting. Five years ago, I thought we had to have a top 10 pick to have success. But that isn’t the case. The Cubs have shown to be more than adequate at scouting players. I believe they can rebuild the farm WHILE being a contender from year to year.

That being said, I only see them pulling one more “big” move off if they continue this streak of winning baseball. With the return of Kyle Hendricks this week, I would see Britton as being the more likely of the two. While the injury will put the screws to the Cubs medical staff, it looks more about rust than his physical state. The heavy workload on the bullpen seems to have taken its toll. With the starters beginning to pick it up, the pen is where the Cubs will look to improve.