Constructing a creative path for Cubs to navigate uncertain offseason via impact trades

Creativity might be needed from the Chicago Cubs this offseason. For one, they have to construct a mostly new starting rotation for the 2027 season, and they could also be without previous fixtures in their starting lineup, considering Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ are both free agents.

The Cubs have money to spend this offseason with over $100 million coming off their books, but this is a team that loves to explore the trade market. Plus, for what the Cubs need this offseason, it would make sense they seek cost-controlled solutions from other teams.

Cubs could build an unexpected trade block before MLB lockout arrives

Of course, as the saying goes, you have to give something to get something. After an eventful trade deadline, the Cubs' farm system took a step back, and with that, there might not be many blue-chip prospects for Jed Hoyer to consider moving. That means that if there are going to be trades before the lockout on December 2, it likely will includes players that have already had a run on the Cubs' roster.

Edward Cabrera

One year into the experiment with Edward Cabrera, it feels unlikely that the Cubs would be willing to end it so soon. But things weren't just bad between the Cubs and Cabrera last year, they were awful. He couldn't stay healthy, and when he was on the mound, he was ineffective. It's more or less why Craig Counsell sounded exhausted at the end of the season when talking about Cabrera's first year in Chicago.

“It hasn’t clicked,” Counsell said. “You spend a lot of time figuring those out. I wish every story was a success story. This one, right now, is not. We’re certainly going to keep working on trying to find answers there and trying to find solutions. I know it’s something that’s very important. I wish I could tell you every story is a success story. But we haven’t done it here.”

That doesn't sound like someone who believes there's a plan in place to get Cabrera right. Some instances just require a proactive ability to admit you were wrong, and that could be at play here. Cabrera is probably back with the Cubs in 2027 but if other additions force him out of the rotation picture, perhaps the Cubs are more inclined to move him.

Kevin Alcantara

Nothing about how the Cubs have used Kevin Alcantara over the last three years would suggest they think he's capable of holding a regular role in the outfield. His call-up at the end of the 2024 season was out of necessity, and in 2025 and 2026, he was largely used as an up-and-down outfielder when the Cubs needed an extra man on the bench. So much so that Alcantara is entering the 2027 season out of minor-league options.

If Alcantara is not on the Cubs' Opening Day roster in 2027, he will be subject to waivers. Before it gets to that point, it would seem likely that the Cubs deal Alcantara, especially since there's been no inclination that he's a viable candidate to replace Ian Happ or Seiya Suzuki.

Miguel Amaya

Trading Miguel Amaya would be the definition of the Cubs needing to get creative this offseason. Right now, with Carson Kelly a free agent, there's no scenario where Amaya is traded. That would leave Owen Ayers as the only viable starting option in 2027.

But, there's been an uptick in reasoning for the Cubs to make Kelly's return a priority this offseason. If that's the case, considering the need for catching that exists across baseball, the Cubs could probably cash in on Amaya's trade value as a controllable catcher.

BJ Murray Jr.

BJ Murray Jr. had a cup of coffee witht he Cubs at the end of the 2026 season, and for now, he could be positioned to be on the team's bench in 2027. Additions before then will likely change that outcome for Murray, and then it becomes a matter of the Cubs needing to trade him before his prospect value completely wears off.

Murray doesn't have the profile to headline a package of a cost-controlled starting pitcher, but falls into the range of the second piece added to a potential trade. If he had more experience in the outfield, perhaps the Cubs keep him around, but as corner infielder, he reeks of a trade chip.

James Triantos

With the starting infield under contract through, at least, the 2029 season, and Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramirez also on the roster, the Cubs don't really have a place for James Triantos. Honestly, it's a surprise he wasn't moved at the deadline. He had a run with the Cubs in 2026, but only appeared in seven games.

Triantos has moved to the middle-of-the-pack in terms of the Cubs' prospect rankings, but he's also only 23. There's enough in his hit-tool to have some value on the trade market. Like Murray, Triantos likely can't headline a trade the Cubs make this offseason, but he's near the top of the list of the filler-prospects Hoyer may be eager to trade.

Matt Shaw

The most valuable trade chip the Cubs currently have is Matt Shaw. The former first-round pick is a pre-arbitration player under control through the 2031 season. Had Shaw been healthy around the deadline, perhaps that would have led to the Cubs getting more involved in a deal for a cost-controlled starting pitcher. Even if Shaw hasn't put it all together offensively, he's flashed enough high-upside to still have considerable value to any team moving forward.

The Cubs would be included in that mix, but pitching is their priority. If they can get their hands on a cost-controlled ace and Shaw is a part of the asking price, Hoyer probably doesn't scoff at that idea.

Also, notice how Pedro Ramirez wasn't listed. Ramirez clearly has a fan in Craig Counsell, and that has put him ahead of Shaw in terms of playing time. That doesn't mean Shaw wouldn't have a future in Chicago, he could, but there's probably a path where he is traded this offseason.

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