Cubs could look to the Angels, a team that badly needs pitching
Darvish has so much value next to his name and he would garner a lot of attention if the Cubs made him available in trade talks. The first team that comes to mind as a potential suitor is the Angels. Los Angeles had to be the most disappointing team in 2020. After bringing in Joe Maddon as manager and inking Anthony Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million deal on the heels signing Mike Trout to a big extension, they went 26-34, good for fourth in the American League West.
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The need in Los Angeles is pitching and signing Dylan Bundy at the head of the rotation isn’t going to get it done. With a new GM at the helm, they should come hard and fast for Darvish if made available and if done, would make this team actual contenders out West.
An absolute ‘probably never going to happen, but let’s talk about it anyway’ landing spot is just up I-94 in Milwaukee. The Brewers already boast two of the most under-the-radar starters in the league in Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes. But that’s about it when it comes to starting pitching – and Darvish would help them elevate that staff in a big way.
They have issues offensively but having the ability to really play up the starting rotation would be something the front office shouldn’t pass up on. Along with that, Josh Hader is a name that the Brewers will want to potentially move and could be someone included in a deal if the Cubs want to add youth to the rotation and bolster the bullpen for more of a re-tool, rather than a full-blown rebuild.