Chicago Cubs: Three blockbuster trades that could reshape the team

With the great majority of talk surrounding the club’s unwillingness to spend in free agency, here are big three trades the Cubs could make this winter.

Over the course of the past two seasons, seemingly every conversation surrounding who the Cubs might acquire or trade for has centered around money. Granted, the financials have just a bit to do with business and, ultimately, the Cubs are a business. While many of us would like to think that sport and business shouldn’t have as much of a correlation as they do, it’s not our money, even if our money does support and allow the team, Wrigley Field and Wrigleyville to prosper.

Moving forward with the idea that money has been of utmost concern the past two years, it has become evident and highly likely that trades will be the way to change the course of this particular iteration of the franchise. If the club is going to change the disappointing endings to the last two years, something has to be done. Since it appears money will not be the fix, all fans can probably rule out the trifecta signing of Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, and Anthony Rendon.

Instead, the Cubs should focus on smaller deals to improve not only their performance in 2020, but into the future as well. The North Siders may not have the plethora of prospects and phenoms they once did, there are still plenty of pieces to be dangled in trade.

Whether those pieces are major league-ready prospects, already somewhat proven major league caliber players, or bona-fide superstars, the Cubs have pieces to make deals happen – it just depends what they want those deals to look like and who wants to play ball in the trade market.

Let’s take a look at three trades the Cubs could, should, or might (but probably not, in reality) make this offseason – one for an MVP-caliber shortstop, one for an MVP outfielder and one for a Cy Young-caliber pitcher.

Chicago Cubs: Best middle infield in baseball in 2020?

Much has been made of the Indians not re-signing uber-talented shortstop Francisco Lindor to a mega deal. Much has also been made of the Cubs need for a set leadoff man to kickstart their offense every single game. Match made in heaven? Maybe.

Why would a Cubs deal work with the Indians? Well, for starters, Lindor has two more years of team control which would coincide with the mythical Cub “window of contention.” Lindor could play shortstop or second for the next to years, teaming up with fellow Puerto Rican team middle-infield partner, Javier Baez. Cleveland isn’t known as a big spender and it has been widely reported that Lindor may be on the trade block.

The Cubs also need to solidify their middle infield situation with the shortstop formerly known as Addison Russell now being a distant memory for Cubs fans. The question becomes, what would the Cubs need to give up to land the perennial All-Star?

If the Indians need a replacement infielder, it could come in several forms. They might see Nico Hoerner as an MLB-ready shortstop, but if they didn’t, it could also mean shipping someone like Zack Short or Aramis Ademan, if the Indians preferred one or even both. Package them with proven slugger and count-worker Ian Happ, who just needs to be in a lineup every day to post an .850 OPS.

Add in a Brennen Davis and the Indians get back three guys who could be starters in 2021 but cost next to nothing compared to the roughly $40 million Lindor would make the next two years.

Chicago Cubs: Could Thor and his hammer be coming soon?

As much as speculation has been rampant surrounding Bryant, Lindor, and Betts, Noah Syndergaard has faced his own rumor mill amongst the New York media over the past several seasons. “Thor” has had to withstand a barrage of hammers from fans, the media, and injuries during his tenure in The Big Apple, but one thing is for certain – when he’s right, very few guys are as good as Syndergaard.

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The Mets could decide that they need to move the big right-hander, either because of his injury history, or because of a potential haul in prospects. The Cubs and Mets have been connected regarding Syndergaard before, so why not make this happen finally?

Chances are, the Mets would want some pitching coming back, so Adbert Alzolay and Brailyn Marquez are on the table to start negotiations.  While the Cubs will be reticent to let either go because of their lack of homegrown pitching talent, a deal to land a guy like Syndergaard could assuage their fears and/or guilt.

And even though pitching prospects haven’t exactly been flowing in the Cubs pipeline, they have amassed a ton of high-upside arms in their system over the past few years.

If the Mets desire any of Kohl Franklin, Justin Steele, Ryan Jensen, or Tyson Miller, they can be parted with as well. If that doesn’t get the deal done, perhaps the deal gets reworked with one of Miguel Amaya or Victor Caratini as more of the centerpiece, meaning the Cubs keep more of their homegrown arms.

Regardless of their desire or willingness to part with their own guys, the Cubs seem destined to make something happen this offseason. Why not start with one of these, or heck… even all three?