Cubs Rumors: Padres, Cubs have had discussions regarding Yu Darvish

The Chicago Cubs have discussed a Yu Darvish trade with the San Diego Padres.

In mere days, we’ve gone from speculating about a potential Yu Darvish trade between the Cubs and Padres to confirmation the sides are talking about a deal.

The San Diego Union-Tribune piece marks the first substantiated report of the offseason when it comes to Darvish. We pretty much knew everyone, not just Darvish, is available if the price is right. Given his team-friendly deal and the fact he’s coming off a runner-up finish in the NL Cy Young race, it really should surprise absolutely no one the Cubs are talking about trading the right-hander.

No deal is imminent, as the report notes, “signals from team sources have been mixed on how far along those talks are.” But the fact that they’re happening, in my mind, is promising. For the last few years, I feel like the Cubs have been trying to row their boat from the middle of the river to shore with one row, spinning in circles and never getting any closer to land.

Cubs, Padres make a lot of sense – at least on paper

Theo Epstein (and, to be fair, Jed Hoyer) kept putting their eggs in the same basket: running it back with the same group of guys, making marginal changes to the roster from year-to-year. We all know how that panned out, so it’s nice to see the team at least seriously considering some sweeping changes this offseason.

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Make no mistake. Losing Darvish would be a clear sign the Cubs are taking a step back from contention in 2021. Without him in the fold, Chicago would head into camp with just one proven commodity in the rotation: Kyle Hendricks. You’ve got guys like Alec Mills and Adbert Alzolay in the mix, but, like I said – Hendricks is your only ‘sure’ thing.

Looking at the Padres, it makes a ton of sense why they’re checking in on Darvish. They desperately need starting pitching if they’re going to contend with the Dodgers in the NL West. AJ Preller thought he checked that box when he traded for Mike Clevinger last year, but the former Indians right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2021 campaign.

When we’re talking about a return in a Darvish trade, really there are a lot of question marks. Can San Diego absorb the three years and $65 million left on his contract? Does he have the Friars on his undisclosed 12-team no-trade list? Which prospects would the team be willing to part with in a trade?