Adley Rutschman trade buzz links Cubs to prospect they refused to deal

The stage is seemingly set for the Baltimore Orioles to trade Adley Rutschman this offseason, and there is a legitimate case to be made that the Chicago Cubs will be involved in the sweepstakes. Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, as good as they were at the start of the year, still have some long-term questions, considering Kelly's contract and Amaya's lack of availability. Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report has the Cubs among the potential suitors for Rutschman, and his proposed trade packaging could be polarizing.

In the suggested deal, Rymer has the Cubs giving up Javier Assad and top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins in exchange for Rutschman.

Rymer suggests that the Orioles would likely say no to that proposal, and he isn't wrong. Wiggins is very much a high-upside pitching prospect and could enter the 2026 season as one of the game's best pitching prospects. That said, he's carrying too much weight in the offer. Nothing against Assad, who has value to the Cubs as a depth arm, but his trade value will need to be replenished after a season defined by injury.

Cubs trade chatter suggests a shocking Adley Rutschman pursuit

Chances are, the Cubs would also be opposed to this proposal. The Cubs certainly would have to give up one of their top prospects in a trade for Rutschman, but it feels like Wiggins is pretty close to being untouchable. The Cubs are thin when it comes to elite pitching prospects in their farm system, and it feels like they would be more willing to include a prospect like Moises Ballesteros instead of having to give up Wiggins.

Some Cubs fans may point to Ballesteros as being the clear long-term answer for the Cubs at catcher, but that is a reality that the Cubs may not think is likely. Ballestero should be an excellent hitter at the Major League level, but it remains to be seen if he is capable of being a primary catcher. For that reason, if it meant landing Rutschman, it feels like the Cubs would be willing to include Ballesteros in a potential deal.

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