Latest Paul Skenes' trade proposal puts the Cubs as a World Series favorite

While it remains clear that the Pittsburgh Pirates won't be trading Paul Skenes this season, and that especially applies to the Chicago Cubs, that hasn't stopped MLB insiders from fantasizing what a potential trade package for Skenes would look like.

The way I like to put it, think about what a packager of top prospects would look like, and when you think it's enough, include two more prospects. A trade of Skenes would likely be a move that shakes Major League Baseball at its core. That holds true when you consider the list of teams that would likely be at the front of the line would be the Cubs, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and insert any contending team here.

The latest hypothetical trade package for Skenes comes from Jim Bowden of The Athletic (Subscription Required). Bowden draws up packages for the Cubs, Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets.

A Paul Skenes' trade would rightfully deplete the Cubs' farm system

Bowden has the Cubs at the top of his list, offering a package that includes Matt Shaw, Cade Horton, Kevin Alcantara, and shortstop Juan Tomas. Tomas is the lottery-ticket prospect included at the end of the package, but there is no doubt that Shaw and Horton are the headliners.

Cubs fans may not want to hear this, but any package from the Cubs, at the very least, would have to start with Shaw or Horton. In order to get the point across to the Pirates that they are serious, the Cubs would very likely need to include both.

It would be a steep price to pay, but Skenes' arrival would make the Cubs an instant threat to win the World Series. Not to mention, the Cubs would have a perennial Cy Young Award favorite under team control until 2030. For that reason alone, if the Pirates were serious about moving Skenes, it's an offer that would get the two sides talking.

Having said that, for the Cubs, that's adding another player to their roster who will need an eventual extension. The list already includes Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker. Considering the Cubs have never handed out a contract larger than $200MM, it's a scenario that will likely see two of those three players find new teams by the time they hit free agency.