Chicago Cubs Rumors: Checking in on potential pitching trade targets

The uncertainty of Yu Darvish pitching anytime soon for the Chicago Cubs may lead them to making some moves. How big a move can Theo Epstein pull off?

One of the strengths the Chicago Cubs had on paper going into the season was starting pitching. A rotation of Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana, Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood looked like it would be among baseball’s best. Midway through, it has not been quite as good as expected. The injury to Yu Darvish gets more and more concerning and who knows if he will even be able to pitch again in 2018.

It is time to go out and get another starter? It seems like now is the time to add another one, especially if Darvish will not be back. They have five guys right now, but Joe Maddon may want a six-man rotation, especially with the inconsistencies of Tyler Chatwood in the fifth spot.

So what are some options? One thing seems certain, that whoever they trade for will not be a top-of-the-rotation guy. More or less someone to help get them by in the regular season. They got a cost-controlled guy in Quintana last year with top-prospects, a move this year will be a bit smaller.

Also worth noting that Theo Epstein said Drew Smyly will not necessarily start in 2018 if he returns. He has been oft-mentioned as a potential in-house option heading into the second half. But, based on that report, he’s far from a sure thing.