Chicago Cubs: Latest Kris Bryant trade rumors are laugh out loud funny

Chicago Cubs: Addressing two areas of need

Included in the aforementioned trade proposal between the Phillies and the Cubs are two veterans: Zach Eflin and Jean Segura. On paper, it addresses two areas of need for the club, starting pitching and the infield.

Expecting the intent for Philadelphia to pay down a good chunk of Segura’s salary is the only way including him into the conversation makes sense. Segura is 30 years old and is in the midst of a five-year, $70 million deal. His average annual value is $14.25 million through 2022.

For a team that has done nothing of value this offseason and who has no money, it seems silly to think the Cubs would take on any contract at this point. Whether or not it is a significant payoff is relative. Outside of that, the Cubs have Nico Hoerner and Aramis Ademan waiting in the wings. Segura would provide that “immediate” value, however, Hoerner will be playing a majority of the year with the major league club, so it renders the whole thing moot.

Eflin, meanwhile, is still only 25 years old and has four seasons of major league ball under his belt. Outside of that, however, Eflin has been about as mediocre as they come. The right-hander has yet to crack the sub-4.00 ERA category. If that wasn’t scary enough, Eflins strikeout rate dropped by about four percent.

The obvious factor for Eflin is Citizen’s Bank. Last season the park was ranked seventh overall in park factors, with an average of 1.17 home runs hit per game. The other thing going against Eflin was his 16 percent HR/FB ration. No thank you.