Chicago Cubs: Blue Jays’ tantalizing prospects key in Craig Kimbrel trade

Chicago Cubs: Austin Martin could be a game-changer for this team

I love the idea of a return of Austin Martin, the Vanderbilt alum who was drafted fifth overall by the Blue Jays in the 2020 draft. In 2019 for Vandy, Martin posted a ridiculous .392/.486/604 slash line in 268 ABs. Fast forward a year, in a shortened season due to COVID, Martin batted .377/.507/.660.

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In 172 at-bats for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Martin owns a .273/.402/.372 slash and is capable of playing in the outfield and infield.

At 22 years old, this is the type of player that could be vital to strengthening a core of young talent on the Chicago Cubs. For the unlimited potential in Martin and the top talent currently available via trade on the Cubs roster, I would be on the horn every day with Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins, in regards to striking a deal for Martin.

I would still be listening even if the Jays wanted the Cubs to spice up the deal with a prospect of their own, perhaps of the Dakota Mekkes variety which would also bolster the Jays’ pen moving forward.

Martin has the versatility to play multiple positions and potential to swing the bat with the best of them. Though his price tag is undoubtedly high, these are the type of players a team looking to retool such as the Cubs should be targeting and, at the very least, doing their due diligence on to see if you can pry them away with an enticing offer.

The best way to buy up these young potential superstars is by selling the current stars they have at the trade deadline, which the Cubs are trying to do anyway. A trade of this caliber would eventually be looked back at as Chicago buying rather than selling.

The time is now for the Cubs to look ahead at a potential new core. With guys such as Nico Hoerner, Austin Martin and Brennen Davis, they would be well on their way.