Chicago Cubs: Is Mike Fiers a possible back-end trade target?

Could the two most-recent World Series champions hook up on a deal that would bring Mike Fiers to the Chicago Cubs’ rotation for 2018?

The Hot Stove is frigid as the calendar nears December. And, at this point, it’s anybody’s guess what Theo Epstein and the Chicago Cubs will do. But one thing remains clear: this team needs pitching help.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Astros will look to unload Mike Fiers this week. He’s poised to go through arbitration for the second time and represents a very affordable option for the back of any team’s starting rotation. Which, if you’re Epstein, is a big draw.

The right-hander struggled in a big way for the world champion Astros, putting up a 5.22 ERA and 5.43 WHIP over 153 1/3 innings in 2017. He led the league, hitting 13 batters. His 3.6 walks-per-nine represented a career-high, as well. In short, there was a lot to criticize about Fiers this year.

Still, he’s familiar with the National League Central, having come up with the Milwaukee Brewers. He has two more years of team control to his credit and represents the buy-low type arm we’ve seen this front office pursue over the last half-decade time and time again.

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Scott Feldman. Brett Anderson. Guys like that.

But here’s the question: are we past those days?

Greener pastures on the North Side

The Cubs don’t need to bank on reclamation projects. They’re the toast of the National League, more or less, on an annual basis. Last season saw Chicago advance to a third-straight League Championship Series before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

With guys like Jake Arrieta and John Lackey coming off the books, the money is there to make big moves. MLBTR predicted the Cubs signing Yu Darvish to a long-term deal. While I don’t see it happening, those are the types of moves you almost have to expect this offseason.

The farm system is no longer your saving grace. Any near-ready talent was shipped off in the Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson and Jose Quintana trades in the last 18 months. It’ll be some time before you have homegrown reinforcements coming to the Windy City. In the meantime, it’s on the front office and ownership to capitalize on this window and chase titles.

Fiers could have value

If the Cubs do hook up with Houston on a deal and bring the veteran right-hander to Chicago, it could very well turn out well for them. Fiers put up decent numbers with the Brewers and, as noted, won’t eat up much in payroll.

Epstein could add an impact arm ahead of Fiers, thus designating him to the fifth spot in the rotation. This allows Joe Maddon to keep Mike Montgomery in the swing role, which is clearly where the team prefers their southpaw and Game 7 stopper from 2016.

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With Fiers as a five and a quality arm – someone like Alex Cobb or Jake Odorizzi – penciled in the rotation, this team is very much a threat in the National League Central.