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

 The Chicago Cubs seem linked to every available player in the league. While the Cubs have the ability to make moves, it doesn’t mean they should. Yu Darvish and Zach Britton are at the forefront of rumors. So which should it be?

My head starts spinning as soon as a I start looking at potential trades for the Chicago Cubs. Apparently, the Cubs are looking to replace much of the current roster, according to the pundits and fans. But I think many of us know that isn’t realistic. The Cubs bullpen has been solid all season but has recently shown some cracks. The rotation seems to be stabilizing, but it was the Achilles heel much of the season.

There are other potential trades out there, including the possibility of adding Alex Avila from the Detroit Tigers. You can read more about that here. But in this case, I’ll stick to the pitching staff. Yu Darvish of the Texas Rangers and Zach Britton of the Baltimore Orioles. Which will it be? Another rental in Darvish, or Britton who is signed through next season? There’s a case that could be made for both. But there are also reasons to avoid them as well.

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.

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.