Chicago Cubs: Just forget about Kyle Schwarber being traded

Kyle Schwarber is a member of the Chicago Cubs today, tomorrow, and will be past opening day. The Cubs are giving him every opportunity to succeed.

Everyone’s favorite Chicago Cubs trade candidate, Kyle Schwarber, is not going anywhere. Let’s get that out of the way right now.

We know the trade rumors popped up again at the outset of the Winter Meetings, as the Red Sox are interested in adding some pop to their lineup. It’s been said over and over, and reiterated time and again by yours truly, how Theo Epstein and the Cubs think too highly of Schwarber to trade him. Let’s recap.

2016

During the 2016 season when they were all in for the World Series and in the market for a top closer. Trading an injured Schwarber to complete the process was rumored, but ultimately shot down.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season
• Cubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel
• Justin Steele has evolved into a frontline starter for the Cubs
• The future of first base is murky right now for the Cubs

If one could have traded for a premier closer at the trade deadline, and the centerpiece going the other way is an injured, out for the season, young outfielder coming off major surgery, and just 71 major league games under his belt, who doesn’t do that?

In a bit of a different scenario, and one that comes to mind is last season when the Yankees traded injured outfielder Dustin Fowler to the Athletics as part of the deal for Sonny Gray.

New and improved Schwarber?

That decision to keep Schwarber obviously paid dividends later and the Cubs are banking on that again in 2018. So much so, the Cubs and Schwarber reportedly came to an agreement that he would dedicate himself to working out all offseason to improve his playing shape.

Joe Maddon is already toying with the potential of batting Schwarber from the leadoff spot–easy, Joe.

So clearly, there’s a future vision with the slugger, outside of a ridiculous offer tomorrow. Epstein already cautioned that while there’s interest in Schwarber, the Cubs have more interest.

Why not?

The 24-year-old is under team control through 2021. In a year in which he struggled with batting average and strikeouts, he hit 30 home runs for the season and slashed .253/.335/.559 after the All-Star Break.

If those numbers average out to a full season, most would take that. Chicago, undoubtedly, still feels there is much more for Schwarber to offer. They’re giving him all the time in the world to succeed.

Next: What if players were characters from Star Wars?

From sending him to the minors last June to the hiring of new hitting coach Chili Davis this season. Now we’ll see how his body transformation and conditioning pay dividends.

Another important factor to emphasize is Schwarber will be more than a full year removed from major knee surgery by Opening Day. With a normal offseason (last year’s World Series hoopla aside) mixed with a heavy dose of humility and determination, these are reasons why the Cubs probably don’t want to give up on him just yet.