Chicago Cubs: Six potential starting pitching trade targets

Chicago Cubs: Jon Gray

It’s always hard to evaluate pitchers who play half of their games at Coors Field. The Colorado Rockies selected Jon Gray with the third overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, right after the Cubs took Kris Bryant. Gray has pitched his entire career for the Rockies, and all things considered, he’s done pretty well for them. With the Rockies coming off a disappointing season, if they decide they want to rebuild, look for them to make Gray available.

The 28-year-old right-hander is coming off a nice season. Overall, his ERA was 3.84 a year after leading the league in earned runs allowed. Of course, we’ll want to take a look at his home/road splits, but they are actually surprising: Gray’s ERA at home was better (3.46) than it was on the road (4.22). He did not pitch after August 16 due to injury.

Gray is arbitration-eligible and is under team control through 2022. Because of that, he’d be an attractive trade piece for any contender looking for starting pitching help. It probably would take a top-tier prospect to get Gray, and given the Cubs’ thin farm system, that might not be something they are willing to do.

Another possibility is that the Rockies may be also looking to unload Charlie Blackmon‘s big contract. If that’s the case, perhaps they would try to bundle Gray and Blackmon together and be willing to take less in return. Though the Cubs also need outfield help, it’s hard to see them doing that.