Trades have defined the Chicago Cubs' offseason with their two biggest moves being acquiring Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly in separate deals with the Houston Astros.
As the Cubs approach the close of the offseason, the team may have one more blockbuster deal up their sleeve. Reports have suggested that the San Diego Padres have made right-handed starting pitcher Michael King available and considering the Cubs' previous desire to add an established starting pitcher to the top of their rotation, it was only natural for the speculation to point in their direction.
The speculation seems to have turned into a rumor with legs. Matthew Trueblood of North Side Baseball reports that the Cubs and Padres have discussed variations of a deal that would send King to Chicago.
Within his report, Trueblood outlines two potential deals
"One version of a deal the Cubs and Padres have explored could send King and Suarez to Chicago, with multiple young, controllable pieces going back to San Diego. Javier Assad, Ben Brown, and Kevin Alcántara are potential pieces in a return. One way or another, the deal would probably include players with MLB experience and/or those very close to the majors, like those three, as opposed to far-off prospects."North Side Baseball
The other deal wouldn't see the Cubs land King but come away with right-handed relief pitcher Robert Suarez.
"In another scenario (less exciting for Cubs fans, but perhaps more probable), the Padres might connect with the Twins on a trade to bring in catcher Christian Vázquez, with the Cubs acquiring Suarez in a three-team arrangement to make the money work. "North Side Baseball
Suarez posted a 2.77 ERA in 65 appearances out of the Padres' bullpen last season. With a fastball that can reach triple digits, Suarez would be an ideal finishing touch to a bullpen that has been completely revamped since the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline last July.
While that is the "more probable" deal as Trueblood suggests, there is no question the deal involving King is the one that will get fans talking. With 2024 being his first full-season as a starting pitcher, King posted a 2.95 ERA through 31 appearances (30 starts), with a 3.9 fWAR. For a Cubs that had the goal of bolstering the top of their rotation this offseason, King's arrival would check that box.
The price of the rumored package is steep.
If a package like the one Trueblood outlines does come to fruition, the goal would be for the Cubs to sign King to an extension. Major League pieces such as Ben Brown and Javier Assad being included in the deal while also adding a top prospect in Kevin Alcantara does have a different feel than the package of Hayden Wesneski, Cam Smith, and Isaac Paredes that was sent to the Astros for Tucker. However, the argument for making that trade is the Cubs would be adding major additions to both their starting rotation and bullpen.
Such a deal would heighten the importance of the Cubs reaching the postseason in 2025. Otherwise, it would be a tough October for the North Siders as they see Tucker and King reach free agency while the team deals with needing to restock their farm system in addition to having limited spending capabilities due to the impending CBA/work stoppage after the 2026 season.