Chicago Cubs Rumors: Craig Kimbrel could be on the move this summer

Chicago Cubs Rumors: This is their chance to thread the needle

The most obvious strength of this Chicago Cubs team is the bullpen. It’s not just Kimbrel who’s enjoying a strong performance so far this season. Veterans like Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera have been lights-out and we’ve seen more homegrown youth this season than in any season in recent memory.

Even guys like Dillon Maples have played key roles for David Ross, which is saying something because that’s something we’ve been waiting for for what seems like years now. But back to Kimbrel. Why would the Cubs trade him when they enter this week’s series in San Diego in first place? Because they have the depth to cushion the blow of the loss – and could improve down the road at the same time.

“The best way to do that (compete now with an eye on the future) would be to trade closer Craig Kimbrel,” said Rogers. “That’s one guy out of 26 who impacts games every few days. It would be a loss, but righty Ryan Tepera was just named reliever of the month in May; perhaps he could step up for a two-month run as closer. Either way, Kimbrel could bring back a few good prospects while the Cubs continue on their winning ways. Competing doesn’t necessarily mean winning it all. The Cubs could definitely do both — even if they trade more than just Kimbrel.”

Trading someone like Bryant – a former first-rounder, Rookie of the Year and MVP who is one of the top five most valuable players in baseball right now – would not go over well with fans. That’s putting it very mildly. But trading a mid-30s closer whose best days are, in all likelihood, behind him? That’s a very different scenario and one that Jed Hoyer might find too good to pass up.

Chicago Cubs Rumors: There’s no shortage of potential Craig Kimbrel suitors

Big-time arms can make all the difference come postseason time. Nobody knows that better than the Chicago Cubs, who famously sent a package headlined by Gleyber Torres to the Yankees back in 2016 en route to the first World Series championship in 108 years.

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Of course, Brian Cashman turned around and re-signed Chapman that offseason, but the Cubs still got that ring – which is all that mattered at that point. This year, none of the divisions seem to have runaway favorites, which means there will be plenty of potential matches in a Craig Kimbrel trade.

Here’s what Rogers’ associate, David Schoenfield, had to say about potential Kimbrel suitors:

“I like Jesse’s idea of trading Kimbrel, who suddenly looks like vintage Kimbrel from a few years after two miserable seasons during his first two years with the Cubs. His $16 million option for 2022 doesn’t even look that bad right now, and it comes with a $1 million buyout, so he’s attractive to any team in need of a closer; the Braves, Phillies, A’s and Astros are possible destinations.”

You’re not going to get a Top 50 prospect for two months of Kimbrel. But that doesn’t mean the Cubs couldn’t extract value that pays off down the road in a trade – and that’s exactly what the front office will attempt to do. Walk the high wire, attempting to remain competitive down the stretch in 2021 while adding prospects who could play a role on the next great team on the North Side.