Chicago Cubs aren’t going to trade Kyle Schwarber anytime soon

Chicago Cubs: Schwarber showed resilience in tough 2017 season

As the Cubs opened Cactus League play last spring, Joe Maddon had a plan for Kyle Schwarber. To use him as a weapon out of the leadoff spot – an intriguing idea, to say the least.

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Looking back, we know this experiment failed in every way imaginable. Schwarber put up a measly  .190/.312/.381 slash-line out of the leadoff spot. As the first batter of a game, matters got even worse. He hit just .161/.278/.194 – and, just like that, things headed south. He never seemed comfortable at the dish in the first half and, to the surprise of many, the Cubs sent him to Triple-A Iowa to get his head and swing right.

With the I-Cubs, the former first-rounder seemed to figure some things out. He batted .343/.477/.714 in 11 games, earning his way back to Chicago for a second-half push. After the All-Star Break, he looked like a different hitter – though not to the level fans hoped for.

Steps in the right direction

From the first to second half, Schwarber saw his OPS climb 200 points. He hit .178 prior to the All-Star Game. After that, he hit a much more respectable .253. Granted, it’s still not what you want to see from a guy who carries such lofty expectations, but progress clearly took place.

He drove the ball more consistently, as well. Seventeen of his 30 home runs came down the stretch. The power is still there. But, heading into 2018, we may see a very different approach from the young outfielder.

Chicago Cubs looking for a new approach to offense in 2018

There are two very distinct approaches to hitting in Major League Baseball right now. The New York Yankees, for example, seem intent on mashing their way to wins and titles. The reigning World Series champion Houston Astros, on the other hand, work counts and execute based on situations remarkably well.

Based on the Cubs’ hiring of Chili Davis, Chicago plans on going in on that second approach in 2018. And, to be frank, it makes sense. Guys like Kris Bryant struggled in the clutch in 2017, despite an overall solid campaign. Being able to shorten up and deliver situational hitting is more often than not, the difference in close games. And Kyle Schwarber plans on doing his part moving forward.

Schwarber has been working to ‘transform his body’ and appeared notably slimmer in recent social media posts. He hopes to become more of a hitter than a slugger – and that’s when the Cubs will be at their best.

Schwarber could easily be a 40-double guy for Chicago. Whether you slot him into the two-spot or in the middle of the order among Bryant, Rizzo and Willson Contreras, the intrinsic value is apparent. The Cubs don’t need to have half-a-dozen guys chasing 25 homers to win. They need to deliver when it counts – and sometimes, that’s just a single to the opposite field or advancing a runner.

Chicago Cubs aren’t trading Schwarber – period

I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve heard trade proposals for Kyle Schwarber already this offseason. That’s not to say all of them were far-fetched or outlandish, either. Some made a lot of sense. But you have to take into account the human element in all this.

Remember – two years ago, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer could have gone after Andrew Miller. The Yankees wanted Schwarber and talks promptly ceased. It was a non-starter to talk about a guy who hadn’t even played in months and appeared to be done till 2017. Miller, of course, wound up heading to Cleveland – where he faced the Cubs in the 2016 World Series.

Instead, Chicago ‘settled’ (and I use that term very fluidly) for Aroldis Chapman. It cost them a prospect package headlined by Gleyber Torres, but they would rather make that deal for a rental than give up Schwarber for long-term control of Miller – one of the best in baseball.

Now, with New York adding Giancarlo Stanton to its already-formidable lineup, the Boston Red Sox need to answer back. An ESPN report from this weekend indicates they have interest in Schwarber. But – again. There’s no way Schwarber goes anywhere in any type of logical trade this winter.

Next: Former Cub Castro headed to baseball purgatory in Miami

Theo and Jed are high on Kyle – as they well should be. This is a guy who owns a burning desire to be the best – not just on the field but in the community and clubhouse. He works harder than most – and wants to add another World Series ring for the Cubs and their fans. Get used to the rumors, everyone. But they’re just that – rumors.