Chicago Cubs: Examining three potential blockbuster trades

There will be plenty of trade rumors involving the Chicago Cubs this offseason. Here, we examine three potential blockbuster deals that could go down.

The Chicago Cubs come into this offseason at a crossroads. The team is coming off a disappointing 84-78 finish, missing the playoffs entirely after losing the National League Wild Card game a year ago. It sounds like we will see plenty of change this offseason; we’ve already seen at change at the top with David Ross coming on board as the new manager.

What will change on the field look like? The free agent list this going into this offseason isn’t particularly strong; Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon are the headliners, while Cubs fans everywhere are wondering what will happen with second-half phenom Nicholas Castellanos. Other than that, there isn’t a lot to get excited about, though I already addressed some potential free agent signings in a previous column.

Will the Cubs look to upgrade their roster via trade? We’ll have to see, though many folks believe that Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras, and Kyle Schwarber, among others, may be on the trade block. The front office has expressed disappointment with how this core has performed, so perhaps some major change is coming.

Let’s take a look at three potential blockbuster trades, including reasons why they make sense and why they would not be a good idea. I’m not endorsing these trades, and I understand that there’s a strong chance these trades won’t happen. Yet given all the rumors and speculation around the Cubs this offseason, they are worth addressing.