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

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.