Cubs could look to a trade with the Mariners for their big starting rotation addition

If there's one team in baseball that has an abundance of riches in the starting rotation, it's the Seattle Mariners - making them a logical trade partner for a Chicago Cubs team looking to add high-impact arms to the mix.

Seattle is in dire need of cost-controlled offense, and according to Bruce Levine, the two teams could get together on something this offseason. Much has been made of the impact conditions at Wrigley Field had on the offense this year, but the front office is also aware some regression could be coming for the pitching staff in 2025.

“As much as we understood how our hitters all had lower OPS numbers at home this year, we can't ignore how that helped out pitchers at Wrigley Field,” Hoyer said. “So we certainly will pay attention to that as we prepare to put our team together for 2025.”

In a new report, Bruce Levine singled out Cubs infield prospects James Triantos and Matt Shaw - but trading Shaw, in particular, would be a tough pill to swallow. But if you're coming off top 100 prospects, the Mariners have the type of arms that could entice Jed Hoyer enough to put together a deal.

Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo all fit the bill as young, cost-controlled arms that would slot in perfectly alongside Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele. Miller, Kirby and Gilbert all threw more than 180 innings with an ERA no higher than 3.53 - and, better yet, Gilbert is the oldest of the three at 27 years old.

Nico Hoerner had been mentioned as a potential fit, but his offseason wrist surgery has him on an uncertain timetable and could put Opening Day in doubt. It's hard to envision any team, even one that needs infield help as bad as Seattle, giving Hoyer what he sees as adequate value for his Gold Glove infielder.

With an MLB-best eight top 100 prospects, the Cubs have the chips to pull off multiple high-impact trades. If the front office doesn't want to swim in the deep end of the free agent pool, this could be the best way for the team to raise its floor and contend for an NL Central title next season.