Chicago Cubs should consider these three trade proposals this winter

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.