Chicago Cubs should consider these three trade proposals this winter

Years of consistency but a question mark

Mark Melancon comes off a disastrous season in his first year with the San Francisco Giants.

As the Giants come off their worst season since 1985, a roster shakeup is very possible. The possible reunion idea of Jeff Samardzija has come up, and a package with Melancon is a way the Giants could go.

Samardzija actually did something he had never done before last season, leading baseball in walks per nine (1.4) and walk percentage (3.8). In fact, he decreased his walks a full point, down from 2.4 in 2016, and slightly better than his 1.8 in 2014, his lone All-Star season split between the Cubs and Athletics.

One quick note: Samardzija worked with pitching coach Curt Young in Oakland, who was just hired to the same position in San Francisco.

Regardless of your stance on a Samardzija reunion, and taking into account the injuries that sidelined Melancon, it could be an intriguing possibility given that the Giants might be willing to eat enough salary to make it seem more appetizing.

Melancon has had tremendous success closing games in his career, converting 179 of 207 save opportunities, and 98/104 between 2015 and 2016. His success earned him NL Reliever of the Year in 2015 as he led the league in saves. This ultimately led to the current four-year, $62 million contract he signed with the Giants.

Still, though

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Struggles, including five blown saves in 16 opportunities this past season shed light into the deeper reason for his problems. He underwent surgery to alleviate chronic exertional compartment syndrome in his right forearm in September and will be ready by Spring Training.

This certainly seems like a lot of baggage for Chicago, trying to force a trade for pitchers who have either struggled and/or faced injuries in recent years.

Furthermore, it does not seem realistic and worth the pieces needed to make the trade work. We know Theo Epstein will have to shed a piece(s) off the big-league roster at some point. Javier Baez could be the kind of guy San Francisco covets, but if you are the Cubs, do you want to break up one of the best infield combos with Addison Russell?

And for Samardzija, who is going to turn 33 before next Opening Day, and a closer who is coming off a rather significant injury?

Even Baez for Melancon straight-up just does not feel right.

Epstein verbally promised Albert Almora a larger role, but where? Could he get that in San Francisco where the Giants would like to upgrade their aging outfield?

Would Almora and a prospect be enough if the Giants eat some cash?

Yes, I know

For the record, yes, I like Russell at shortstop, and Baez at second. Forming one of the very best middle infield tandems in baseball isn’t exactly a palatable thought.

Dellin Betances for Kyle Schwarber

This was a scenario we floated out there a couple weeks ago.

This trade is less complex in that it is straight-up, and each team gets what they seek. For Chicago, a pitcher at the back end of the bullpen, and for New York, a designated hitter. During the postseason New York snapped an 0-for-41 hitless streak by designated hitters dating back to Raul Ibanez in 2012.

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Dellin Betances (3-6, 2.87 ERA, 100 strikeouts, 44 walks) is a talented reliever who apparently fell out of favor with Yankees fans and brass, struggling with control at times during the season and playoffs. He also filled in as closer when Aroldis Chapman struggled, and dealt with injury.

Betances’ best attributes have been as a setup man, helping form an impactful trio with Andrew Miller and Chapman in 2016, and a vaunted Yankees bullpen in 2017. Now he deals with control issues and has just 32 career saves in 48 chances. He converted 10-of-13 this past season for New York.

In what FanGraphs considers high-leverage situations in the ninth inning, Betances worked 6 2/3 innings, posted a 5.40 ERA and opponents hit .130 against him. In the ninth inning, as a whole, he logged 20 1/3 innings, posted a 2.66 ERA and walked 13 batters while opponents hit .139.

Betances’ situational breakdown:

In saves: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 10 saves
In save situation: 0-4, 3.38 ERA, 32 games, 11 ER, 19 BB, 48 Ks
In non-save situation: 3-2, 2.37 ERA, 34 games, 8 ER, 25 BB, 52 Ks

Don’t give up yet

Personally, I believe Kyle Schwarber stays in Chicago for at least another year.

Epstein stuck by him following injury in 2016, not relenting in trading him when they were all in for a closer amid a World Series run, and the team maintained confidence during 2017 struggles.

It seems like he’s been a part of this big-league Cubs team forever. But this marked his first full Major League campaign. He’s also now a full year removed from his injury and has the chance to work through a ‘normal’ offseason heading into 2018.

Betances will be an asset wherever he pitches, as a setup man or even a closer.  The Yankees still feature David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle, Chad Green and Aroldis Chapman, so New York could be more inclined to trade the talented reliever. He’s too good not to solve his control woes.

Astros are winners, but what happens with Ken Giles?

Fresh off a World Series title, you wouldn’t think the Houston Astros would be thinking about needing to add a closer. Yet Ken Giles certainly did not win over anyone after his 11.74 ERA in seven postseason games, including allowing five runs in two appearances against the Dodgers. He lost his closer role during the World Series.

Giles had a good regular season. He converted 34 of 38 save opportunities with a 2.30 ERA in what was essentially his first full season at closer.

The Astros acquired him from the Phillies for the 2016 season and is still 27 years old and arbitration eligible. Maybe Houston is inclined to make a splash or find another alternative to close games. Fatigue might have caught up to Giles like it seemed to with Carl Edwards. Jr for the Cubs. However, as Jesse Spector of FanRag Sports says, this seems unlikely given he pitched in slightly fewer games and innings this season as opposed to the last two years.

Struggles are masked when teams win rings, but that’s a particular issue the Astros will need to address as they have designs on their own repeat.

It remains quite unlikely Houston trades their own young, controllable arm. It required dealing number of prospects to acquire him from Philadelphia, including former No. 1 pick Mark Appel. Still, we’re playing with the unpredictability of the hot stove season.

So we have our fun.

It’s hard to envision a straight-up trade that works for both Chicago and Houston. Maybe a third team jumps in the foray.

Thinking outside the box

Rumors abound have linked Chicago to the Rays for some time, with Jim Hickey now in the fold on the North Side, presumable free agent Alex Cobb, and trade chatter of Chris Archer. You never know what could unfold as the Rays handle arbitration figures with closer Alex Colome (Led league with 47 saves) and Jake Odorizzi.

Do they trade to lower payroll?

While we know with utmost certainty what names are safe for the Cubs: Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Willson Contreras, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana to name the obvious–what about someone like Ian Happ? What does the future hold for the young utility man?

Just imagine the blockbuster potential between the Cubs, Rays, and a third team like the Astros. Could the Cubs sign Cobb? Trade for Archer, and Colome go to Houston? Giles on the move?

We have a whole offseason of this. Buckle up.

The reality is some things will change

The Chicago Cubs are a team with designs on winning more. However, it will take bold action in order to realize that potential.

Even if Chicago makes the easy move and re-signs Davis, these kinds of scenarios will factor in elsewhere among the roster. If Epstein can ink Davis for four years, $60 million, that has to be a slamdunk decision.

Next: Edwards still a big asset for Cubs moving forward

We’re not saying, we’re just saying

Remember, don’t accuse us of trying to force trades. We’re just open to the idea that changes are afoot, and the possibilities are a fun discussion.