Chicago Cubs: Shoring up the bullpen in the FanSided Mock Winter Meetings

Chicago Cubs: There’s a method to the madness

You might be asking why I would trade Montgomery, who quite literally bailed the Cubs out early in the year, stepping in for the injured Yu Darvish in the rotation. Well, it’s quite simple, really. I believe that by expanding the elite group of arms at the back of the pen, the need for someone like Montgomery is dampened.

At this point in the mock offseason, we’re looking at the same rotation the Cubs feature in real life – Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana, Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish. We’ve still got Tyler Chatwood in tow (for better or worse) and we’ve got irons in the fire on several potential swingmen/spot starters, as well.

We know Montgomery would prefer to start and, simply put, that isn’t going to happen on this team long-term. After a strong showing in 2018, we felt his trade value likely wouldn’t get any higher than it is right now.

As for the two prospects, Justin Steele and Brennan Davis, it’s really quite simple. Given the Cubs’ current likely window, I don’t anticipate either playing integral roles in bringing another championship to the North Side.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, knows its on the outside looking in. Montgomery lends some rotation stability to the Reds and adds two young pieces they can develop in more of a long-term sense.