Chicago Cubs: 10 pitchers to target as MLB trade deadline looms

Chicago Cubs: 10 pitchers to target at the trade deadline: #4 – Jose Berrios

Coming in at #4, Jose Berrios. Berrios is another one of those pitchers that can seriously help the rotation moving forward. He is currently earning $6.1M in his second year of arbitration and will have his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2022 before becoming a free agent after next season.

Berrios is one of the pitchers one this list that is more available to those buying. However, if Jed Hoyer can put the proper package, it can help both Chicago and Minnesota moving forward. The Cubs just have so many great players available via trade that it’s hard to imagine that if a fire sale is coming, they won’t at least try to secure a big league arm along with prospects in exchange for their stars.

Berrios is currently sitting on a 7-4 record with a 3.69 ERA. His FIP is a touch lower at 3.64, but not enough to make a substantive difference. The right-hander ranks in the 83rd percentile in terms of chase rate, which tells you how good his stuff can be. He also owns a 1.7 WAR at this point in the season.

Berrios is one of those guys I would love for Hoyer to target after completing the necessary fire sale. With more funds available the more we fly under the luxury tax threshold, it would be great to see a sign of “No, seriously. This is a re-tool. Not a complete rebuild” Grabbing a guy like Berrios who has been made available would be a perfect way to make that point.