Chicago Cubs: Trading for Nolan Arenado is an absolute long-shot

Even far-fetched rumors involving the Chicago Cubs are stealing headlines now, given the team’s slow-moving and near non-existent offseason so far.

We’re only a few days into the New Year and it seems as if Chicago Cubs fans cannot keep their blood pressure down. Not that they’re to blame when rumors involving Kris Bryant have ballooned since they were eliminated from postseason contention.

These past several years have been great to us but deep down, we had a feeling this bridge would need to be crossed. From grievances to the luxury tax, going all-out was well worth the World Series title in 2016 – or at least, we’d always thought.

So, let’s think about what would happen if the Cubs were to move Bryant, leaving a massive hole at the hot corner. In October 2011, Aramis Ramirez opted for free agency, eventually signing with the Brewers.

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For nine seasons, Ramirez held down third base, forcing the organization to find someone suitable to hold things down. In stepped the late Luis Valbuena, who was later traded to Houston for outfielder Dexter Fowler.

Valbuena was an underdog with a ton of pop and eventually became a fan favorite. I personally always had a soft spot for him and wish he was still with us.

On one hand, we’ve still got David Bote under a pretty team-friendly contract. Only, he hasn’t necessarily shown much after signing that five-year contract extension. Granted he has only made 487 plate appearances, so we might not have seen the full picture just yet.

Calling the Rox

Keeping the stardom alive in Chicago, acquiring Nolan Arenado is something fans would not be mad at. According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the Cubs, along with a handful of other teams, appear to be possible suitors for the 28-year-old phenom.

Other teams noted to be in on Arenado include the World Series champion Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, and the surprise Texas Rangers who acquired Corey Kluber earlier this offseason.

Obviously, Arenado coming to Chicago would be a defensive upgrade considering his seven-year Gold Glove streak dating back to 2013. Though the idea sounds fantastic, the reality of landing Nolan may remain a fantasy due to financial reasons at hand (among others).

Basically, if this were to happen, Theo Epstein would need to figure out how to dump at least $15 million-plus to make room for Nolan who turns 29 in mid-April. This could be Jason Heyward for example, although it still seems like a long-shot to work out all the logistics.

Why? Because that too would leave a hole on the depth chart that would need to be filled, this time in right field. Nicholas Castellanos is looking for a new home and has been linked to the Cubs since the regular season had come to a close – but that’s hard to imagine working out (again, because of money).

With players reporting next month, things should heat up sooner rather than later. Either that or the 2020 trade deadline is going to be packed with one blockbuster trade after another. Where will the Chicago Cubs find themselves in that mix?

Only time will tell.