Cubs could use Michael Busch trade blueprint with Dodgers to address looming roster need

One of the better trades the Chicago Cubs have made under Jed Hoyer's watch is acquiring Michael Busch from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs parted with two prospects with high ceilings, Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope, but Busch has cemented his place as the Cubs' starting first baseman for the next several years.

It's that type of trade that Cubs fans may want to keep in mind for next offseason. The Cubs are going to have several voids ot fill across their roster. Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga, Carson Kelly, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki are among the free agents the Cubs will have next winter.

The Cubs aren't going to replace each of those players with free-agent signings. Sure, there will be a prospect or two expected to have an increased role with the team moving forward, but it's outside-the-box deals like the one the Cubs made with the Dodgers that could be how Jed Hoyer and Co. address some of their needs.

Ryan Ward could make a familiar path for the Cubs

In fact, the Dodgers appear to be a clear trade partner for the Cubs in that type of deal. Like Busch, outfielder Ryan Ward is a slugging prospect who is blocked in LA. At 28 years old, Ward is clearly ready for the majors, but simply does not have a spot available for him with the Dodgers. It's why he only has six career plate appearances to his name.

Ward has flashed the power at every level of the Dodgers' organization. He had 27 home runs during his first full season in the Dodgers' organization in 2021, and has eclipsed 30 home runs in each of his last two seasons. It feels inevitable that the Dodgers will use Ward as a trade chip at the deadline or this offseason.

There certainly would be some risk involved in this type of deal for the Cubs. It likely would require a prospect with the ceiling of becoming the next top guy in the system (Pedro Ramirez?), but it might be worth it for the Cubs, considering Ramirez is ultimately going to be blocked by the time he's ready for the major league level. In other words, the Cubs have a chance to trade an ascending blocked prospect for a blocked prospect who could fill an area of need as soon as next season.

This isn't the type of trade you should expect to see between the Cubs and Dodgers during the season, but if circumstances remain the same this offseason, it feels like one that would be worth keeping an eye on.

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