Cubs: Evaluating the odds each player is traded this offseason

Cubs: Kyle Schwarber could be the most logical trade chip

Kyle Schwarber is one of those players I seem to struggle with. He’s got big-time power, but the average leaves a lot to be desired. He hit for a .188 average this year, but did tally 11 home runs and 24 knocked in. Ian Happ hit 12 home runs and knocked in 28. But he also batted .258. That’s a huge difference between Happ and Schwarber in average. So which way do you go with him? 

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

In 2019, he hit 38 homers and knocked in 98 runs, putting together an insane second half alongside Nicholas Castellanos. Plus, he finished with a .250 average, his highest in the majors. In theory, you’ll keep him until the deadline next summer.

That way, you’ll find out exactly what to with him. You’re out of the race? Trade him. Even if the Cubs find themselves loosely in the hunt? I say trade him. If he’s putting up eye-popping numbers, regardless of average? You’ll get a good return on your investment.

Trade? – 90% chance

Cubs: Yu Darvish has emerged as a legitimate force to be reckoned with

Yu Darvish is not going anywhere. He turned in one of the best seasons of his career in 2020 with the Cubs, posting an 8-3 record and 2.01 ERA. Not to mention, he had a FIP of 2.23 with a WHIP of 0.961. He’ll be a free agent in 2024, and that’s just fine with me. He’s got a ten-pitch arsenal. Ten pitches? He won’t use it all, but he’ll get close.

Darvish and Hendricks should be the No. 1 and 2 starters in the rotation. And Darvish at the top looks as good as anyone. Darvish finished second in Cy Young voting – and you can make the case he should’ve won the thing. I know it was a 60-game season and all, but he was impressive. In the end, I don’t see him leaving.

Trade? – 0% chance

So there you have it—six players who will be on the block. Obviously, I don’t know who will stay or who will go. Bryant and Schwarber should be gone, with the other four remaining ‘intact,’ for now.