Cubs' Steven Kwan, Joe Ryan, Logan Gilbert trade hopes hit an early GM Meetings snag

The idea of the Chicago Cubs pulling off a surprise trade at the GM Meetings this week now look less likely. The odds were never all that high, but considering the Winter Meetings are likely going to be wiped away due a lockout, the idea was that trade activity could start as soon as this week.

It seems likely that the Cubs will spend this week having initial talks with other teams, determining the players that are available this offseason and those who will be off limits. The Cubs are likely to have some familiar names on their list of trade targets, but the wrinkle of the pending lockout could lessen the chance of the Cubs being able to push a swap across the finish line.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi provided some early intel on the trade market at the GM Meetings, suggesting that the likes of Logan Gilbert Steven Kwan, Joe Ryan, and Sandy Alcantara are unlikely to be traded for prospects this month. Morosi adds that it's more likely that teams will be creative on the trade front this month, looking to move a pending free agent for another pending free agent.

Early GM Meetings trade rumors suggest Cubs will need to get creative

The impression is that teams selling off pieces from their major-league roster would want a return that would be capable of helping their team in 2027. Of course, it's worth mentioning that of the players Morosi mentioned, all have been connected to the Cubs over the past year, and are with teams that have reasonable expectations of contending next year. That's likely another factor why prospects are thought of highly in these potential trade.

That wouldn't be a scenario that plays out in the Cubs' favor. As it stands, Justin Steele, Phil Maton, Jacob Webb, and Shelby Miller are the only players the Cubs have next offseason that could reach free agency. In the case of Maton, Webb, and Miller, they all have club options. In other words, the pending free agents the Cubs don't exactly have the highest trade value at the moment.

What that means for the Cubs is that they would have to consider moving Matt Shaw or Pedro Ramirez. In terms of trade chips capable of helping other teams immediately, Shaw and Ramirez are at the top of the list and that is probably where the conversation would start. The Cubs shied away from those talks at the deadline, but may not be able to avoid them this time around.

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