Cubs Rumors: Blue Jays eyeing both Kris Bryant and Kyle Hendricks

Chicago Cubs: Who else could Jed be looking for?

Another name who might be included is Jordan Groshans, a 6′ 3″ shortstop who is only 21 years old. Groshans projects to be a third baseman in the future, so this could be a present-for-future swap with Bryant in the deal. Groshans possesses power, the ability to barrel consistently, and a plus arm that will play at third base in the future if his athleticism doesn’t allow him to stick at short.

If the Cubs are looking for more young arms for the future, it’s also possible that Adam Kloffenstein might be the guy. Again, only 20 years old (see the trend), Kloffenstein is a large (6′ 5″ 243 lbs) presence on the mound and can dial it up into the mid 90s as a starter. As he gets stronger, it’s possible that the mid-90s might become where he sits rather than just a once-in-a-while thing. Kloffenstein (who would quickly be nicknamed something else I’m quite sure) has several above average pitches, good command with repeatable delivery, and a presence on the hill.

If other lottery tickets are involved in a possible deal, you can be sure the Cubs shortstop machine will be looking for raw materials, and the Jays have several young middle infielders who might fit the bill in Miguel Hiraldo, Estiven Machado, Leonardo Jimenez, or Rikelvin De Castro. All of those guys play short and none of them can drink, so they might just be Jed Hoyer’s kind of guys right now.

Let’s just hope if this awful thing does come to pass in some way, shape, or form that it doesn’t also include Craig Kimbrel because then it means the Cubs are probably getting even less back in prospect capital, in exchange for salary relief.