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Chicago Cubs make big moves in FanSided Faux Winter Offseason

By Jake Misener

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 18: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs acknowledges the crowd after being relieved in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 18: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs acknowledges the crowd after being relieved in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 16: Dellin Betances #68 of the New York Yankees reacts as he is pulled from the game after walking the first two batters of the ninth inning against the Houston Astros in Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 16, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 16: Dellin Betances #68 of the New York Yankees reacts as he is pulled from the game after walking the first two batters of the ninth inning against the Houston Astros in Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 16, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs make blockbuster deal with New York Yankees

This one hurt. It marked my first move as general manager and it’ll no doubt be the one most of you have a problem with.

In a straight swap, the Cubs dealt Kyle Schwarber to the Yankees for reliever Dellin Betances. The former, coming off a 30-homer season, is a prime candidate for Comeback Player of the Year in 2018. He struggled offensively, earning a demotion to Triple-A Iowa last year. He bounced back in the second half, though.

Schwarber put up a second-half OPS 200 points higher than prior to the break. He also hit 17 of his 30 long-balls down the stretch – showing his value. But, as we’ve come to know in recent years, acquiring top talent comes at a steep cost.

Similar to the Cubs slugger, Dellin Betances struggled at times in 2017. But the big, hard-throwing right-hander still represents one of the biggest bullpen arms in baseball. He put up a 2.87 ERA last year, averaging north of 15 strikeouts per nine. In short, he’s exactly the type of arm the Cubs lacked this year.

At this point in the offseason, we weren’t sure what role he’d play. He might be a setup guy. But he may very well take the ball in the ninth, as well. One of our biggest free agent signings clarified his role moving forward.