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.

Chicago Cubs: Let’s get pitching help … from Colorado?

Jon Gray’s traditional numbers may not look good at all. He sports a 5.77 ERA and 1.489 WHIP with the Colorado Rockies. However, a deeper look at the righty reveals some value.

First of all his, FIP is all the way down at 3.08 and he has 119 strikeouts on the season. He also is coming off a 3.67 ERA and 3.18 FIP season in 2017. In four years as an MLB pitcher, Gray sports a 3.38 FIP, which may bode well on a good defensive team like the Cubs.

The question is if the Rockies are willing to sell him seeing as they are still in a playoff race at the moment. If they fall further behind, they may be tempted to sell. He probably would not cost too much if the Rockies decide they are out of the race.

Chicago Cubs: Not flashy, but a quality left-hander

J.A. Happ is certainly not flashy, but he can get the job done.

The 12-year veteran is 35 years old with plenty of experience and has put up some decent numbers this year. He sports a 4.03 ERA, 1.110 WHIP and a 3.64 FIP in 102 2/3 innings. Going back to 2015, he has made 105 starts and has posted a 3.53 ERA and 3.70 FIP, most of it in the American League.

Happ is a guy that can fit in the middle of the rotation. Worst case scenario Darvish is out for the year and Happ steps in. Looking ahead, he could be the fourth guy in a playoff rotation behind Lester, Hendricks and Quintana. He has a 3.72 career postseason ERA in 19 1/3 innings pitched. He will undoubtedly be on multiple teams’ radars over the next month, which can affect his price.

Chicago Cubs: A familiar name coming full circle?

Tyson Ross is a familiar name to Cubs fans. He was one of the guys they looked at in the 2016-2017 offseason. He is currently pitching in San Diego on the last year of his contract. Ross currently sports a 3.78 ERA, 1.230 WHIP and 4.32 FIP in 100.0 innings pitched.

Ross has a solid track record in his career as a big leaguer. Outside two injury-riddled seasons in 2016 and 2017, he had real good seasons in 2014, 2015 and doing well so far this season. 2014 marked his All-Star season in which he had a 2.81 ERA in 195 2/3 innings.

If healthy, Ross can be a valuable addition to this rotation. So far health has not been an issue for him in 2018 .

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These are just a few options for the Cubs to possibly explore. What certain teams do in terms of buying or selling can be determined over the next few weeks. Not to mention the health of Yu Darvish being a key factor.