Chicago Cubs: This AL powerhouse might be a perfect trade partner

Chicago Cubs: Some Houston Astros that might pique the team’s interest

A Bryant trade may be a luxury more than anything else for the Astros, but it would make their lineup one of the biggest gauntlets the league has ever seen, and it would make them easy World Series favorites.

While many may be concerned about the Astros’ lack of viable prospects, there’s plenty the Cubs could ask for to make a worthwhile trade. Houston has major league talent they could be willing to move to make a deal such as Abraham Toro or maybe one of their several pitchers with starting experience on their active roster like Cristian Javier or Bryan Abreu.

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The Astros also have three very good prospects that the Cubs could get in a big deal. The first is Forrest Whitley who most know about. Whitley has been a perennial top 100 prospect for a while now and has always undoubtedly had ace-level pitches. The problem with Whitley is his health, as he is once again missing an entire season due to another major arm injury.

The other two prospects are shortstop Pedro Leon and Catcher Korey Lee. Leon was signed out of Cuba by Houston in 2020 and is expected to be major league ready by next year and has the potential to be an offensive star. He’s likely being positioned as Correa’s eventual replacement, but the Astros would likely be willing to go for broke if the right deal came along.

Korey Lee is a bat-first catching prospect that has absolutely raked at every level he’s been at in his first full minor league season. Lee is likely another prospect the Astros will try desperately to hold onto, but the Cubs could likely get him with the right deal.

With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Cubs have a prime opportunity to put themselves in a position to compete quickly if they’re able to take advantage of desperate teams at the deadline. The Houston Astros are the perfect candidate.