Chicago Cubs News: Team should look to trade Kyle Schwarber

In a transition year, the Chicago Cubs should entertain a Kyle Schwarber trade

The Chicago Cubs have an opportunity to make some drastic changes this offseason. This core doesn’t appear to be the same anymore and Theo Epstein has an opportunity to break it up and add some pieces to help set this team up for the long run.

One player who has always been the topic of consideration for a trade is Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber has notably drawn interest from the Yankees of the years but Epstein has been reluctant to move the left fielder. Hoping it’s not too late, Epstein should consider pulling the trigger this offseason.

Schwarber arguably had the most value after the 2019 season where he slugged 38 homers with an OPS of .871. He dropped off in 2020 batting just .188 with an OPS of .701. It remains to be seen the value teams place on the performance in the short season but the hope is that Schwarber didn’t lose much.

Through six MLB seasons, Schwarber has posted a .230 average with a .816 OPS and WAR of 5.1. The OPS has value along with the 38 home runs he slugged in the last full MLB season. If the NL sticks to the DH rule moving forward, Schwarber will be a hotter commodity for what he can do with his bat.

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Schwarber has one more year of club control and becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2022. He is currently making around $7 million per year at 27 years old.

The Yankees could be the ideal trade partner for Schwarber and Epstein would be wise to see what kind of haul the Cubs could get. They are in need of a left-handed slugger and Schwarber could fit perfectly in a DH role in New York. The Cubs could bring in some prospects and maybe some MLB ready talent from a deal with the Yankees and they would be able to pay him once he reaches the end of his contract.

The Cubs could greatly benefit from a deal including Schwarber. The left fielder has a career strikeout percentage of 28%, well above the league average of 20%. The Cubs as a whole struggle in this department so by dealing Schwarber the Cubs will have an opening in left field that could be filled with a contact machine in Michael Brantley, who is set to become a free agent after this season.

Epstein has placed a lot of value of Schwarber over the years and it started when he drafted the Indiana product with the 4th overall pick in the 2014 draft. Schwarber has become a fan favorite and given the Cubs a lot to cheer for over the years, but it’s time to face reality and make a big move to fix this offense.

It would be sad to see Schwarber leave no doubt, but the return and flexibility they would receive from the move would benefit this team significantly in the long-term. Epstein should strongly consider making a move this offseason.