Chicago Cubs Rumors: Looking at the Cubs’ potential trade pieces

The reigning MVP has a home already

There’s absolutely no way the Cubs are trading Kris Bryant. He’s the cornerstone of the franchise and is going to be a Cub for a long time. Any iota of thought that involves trading him away should be discarded immediately and without question

I could go into great detail of why Bryant is such an important piece to the team’s championship-hunting future. I could write a novella on how the 25-year-old – in only his third season – is already one of the top players in the game. I could even produce a movie chronicling the rise of Bryant and his place as the franchise’s savior.

All of those things, I could do. However I’m going to spare you doing anything completely unnecessary. It doesn’t take a genius to understand how important Bryant is to the Cubs. I don’t care if the Cubs lose all their remaining games and Bryant hits .000. There is no scenario where it would be a good idea to trade him.

Bryant and the Cubs are a match made in heaven. They’re perfect for each other – nay, they were made for each other. The odds of the team parting with their superstar third baseman is, well, take it away Harry.

Get yourself a man who can do both

A catcher who can do it all would fetch a hefty return, but the Cubs would be wise to hang onto Willson Contreras.

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The Venezuelan is enjoying a breakout season offensively and is already one of the best defensive backstops in baseball. In only his second year, Contreras has demonstrated that he’s one of the most valuable players on the team.

Offensive catchers with the upside of Contreras are a rarity nowadays. Yes the team could get an absolute haul in exchange for him, but the Cubs can’t afford to let go a player that they can’t readily replace. They have Victor Caratini in the minors and the money to spend on another catcher, but would they be as good as Contreras is now?

He’s also been on a tear of-late. Hitting .345 with .406 OBP and 1.069 OPS, he’s becoming even more valuable to the team as they fight for a playoff spot.

The Cubs’ front office is more likely working on an extension rather than a trade package. As they should, since Contreras’ importance to the team is too high. Out of all the young position players the Cubs have (minus Bryant), Contreras might be the most valuable of all.

Verdict

Talented, but with a lack of consistency?

Addison Russell is having a tough season. After his breakout 2016, in which he hit 21 homers and drove in 95 runs, he’s struggling to take the next step. His low average is still there and he’s walking less, which isn’t the most potent combination.

Still Russell has the potential – some of which he’s already shown – to be the dual-threat shortstop many thought he’d end up as.

At 23 years old it wouldn’t make much sense to trade him now. Some prospects don’t even debut at 23, let alone have two seasons-plus already under their belt. It’d be terrible for the team to watch him develop into a superstar with another club, especially since a trade would signify that the Cubs have given up on the young player.

He’s not untouchable, though it would have to take a massive deal in order for the Cubs to let him go – a trade that would unquestionably be in the Cubs favor. Since no team would want to help the Cubs get even better, the odds of Russell getting traded is slim.

Verdict

Thunderous power – but questions remain

Schwarber would be higher on this list if the front office wasn’t in love with him. They’ve spoken so highly of him that it’d be hard to see them letting him go.

Chicago Cubs

Listen, he’s having a bad season. I know it, you know it, everyone knows it. His potential however is still sky-high, and teams would still love to have him as part of their future.

Theo Epstein loves Schwarber – what’s not to love? He’s already said that he plans for him to be a part of the Cubs for a long time. And there’s the the whole ‘playoff hero’ thing.

Of course, everyone has a price. Last July the Yankees offered stud reliever Andrew Miller in exchange for the burly slugger. The Cubs shut it down however, even when they needed one badly for the playoffs.

However since his stock has gone down since then, the team may be more willing to pull the trigger if the right deal comes along.

Since Schwarber doesn’t have the type of overall proven talent that Bryant or Russell possess, the odds he gets traded are higher, especially since he’s limited defensively. Teams will have to blow the Cubs away with an offer though.

Verdict

A talented piece too often riding the pine

Like Schwarber, Almora isn’t on the same level of talent that others on this list are. Nonetheless, he does project to be a solid big league player, something that every team would love to have.

Defensively he’s a wizard; one of the best in the league. If his bat develops to what it could be and you’re talking All-Star potential.

Almora is a luxury in the sense that the Cubs really don’t need him per se. Jason Heyward can always play center field and the team has other outfield options they can turn to. That means that the 23-year-old is probably brought up in many trade talks between the Cubs and other teams.

Since Almora figures to be the starting center fielder next season, the team might hold onto him. Once he gets everyday playing time then the Cubs will have a better understanding of what exactly they have in him. Is he a worthy replacement for Dexter Fowler? Or is he merely a utility player?

Almora was always kind of forgotten amongst the Cubs’ other prospects, or at least not held in as high of regard. In a trade package however, he could land just as big a haul as any other big name would.

Verdict

Making everyone feel Happ-y

Happ has quietly put together a great rookie season, showing the world why he progressed through the minors so quickly. He also has valuable versatility, something that Joe Maddon covets in his players.

Happ’s slashing .257/.322/.519 with 13 homers in 59 games. He’s been a great addition to the team, even in a utility role. His power has been a nice surprise, since he was known as a contact hitter coming up through the minors.

However, like Almora he’s a luxury that if let go wouldn’t be that big of a deal. The team already has Báez and Zobrist, who can play all the positions Happ can play. Happ would also land the Cubs quite the haul, as he’s shown very early in his MLB career that he belongs.

Of course keeping Happ with the team would be great too. After all, he’ll be cheap for the next few seasons. However, the Cubs are in a win now mode, and Happ could be the odd man out.

Since Happ has played exceptional in his first two months in the big leagues, his hype has never been higher. If the Cubs strike now, who knows what they could get (a young starting pitcher perhaps?).

Verdict

The wizard with a boom stick

Lastly we have Javier Báez, who’s been the center of trade rumors for a few years now. He was even ‘traded’ for Shelby Miller in 2015, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. He tops this list for a few reasons.

On a loaded Cubs’ team, Baez continues to see less at-bats than expected. He’s not riding the bench, but he’s not playing every day, either. He’s good enough to be a regular, and some teams would pay a hefty amount to have the chance to pencil him in everyday.

Two, Happ’s emergence has made him more available to other teams. Like Happ, Báez can play both infield and outfield, yet Happ can play both better overall. Losing Báez won’t hurt the Cubs too much when you consider they already have his ‘replacement.’

Happ and Báex can co-exist but one has to wonder if Báez would get the at-bats necessary for him to take the next step if he’s sharing playing time. The Cubs naturally want him to reach his full potential; the question is can he with the Cubs?

Báez is an electric player who still has room to get even better. However, trading him would net a big return, either by himself or packaged with someone else.

If the right offer comes along, expect the Cubs to pounce.

Verdict