3 Chicago Cubs trade rumors to squelch before they gain traction

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For the third straight year, the Chicago Cubs are staring down another big sell-off at the trade deadline. The National League Central may be struggling to produce a true frontrunner, but the Cubs haven't stayed particularly close in this race at 6.5 games back. It's getting late quickly and the rumors are already starting to heat up about which players will leave the Friendly Confines come August.

The Cubs are in a difficult spot this time around. While they've played themselves into the realm of selling, it's also crucial that they turn the page quickly as they should be exiting this rebuild sooner rather than later. With that in mind, whatever moves they make need to consider how to stock up the farm without necessarily creating too many holes for next year.

Let's look at three trade rumors that need to be shut down before they gain too much traction.

1. Adbert Alzolay could be an attractive piece for contending teams

The Cubs are almost certainly going to make some relief trades assuming they remain firmly out of contention. It might not seem like they have a ton to offer considering how rough their bullpen has been in 2023, but there are a few pieces that could be dangled for other teams.

Enter Adbert Alzolay. The former top pitching prospect has taken very well to a relief role, sporting a pristine 2.10 ERA with a very solid 2.54 FIP to boot. By and large, he's been the team's relief ace alongside Mark Leiter Jr. and Julian Merryweather of late, becoming one of their most reliable choices in high-leverage situations.

The issue with trading him, however, is control. He won't be a free agent until 2027 and, while that opens up the possibility of a sizable return, he could be a very valuable arm out of the bullpen for years to come. A trade of that kind isn't out of the realm for the Cubs - Scott Effross was shipped off last year for Hayden Wesneski in part because Jed Hoyer had faith in the team's ability to build relief squads from scratch. This year, however, proved the Cubs aren't infallible in that regard. Keegan Thompson, Brandon Hughes, Jeremiah Estrada, Michael Fulmer, and Brad Boxberger have all massively struggled despite seeming like key pieces.

There needs to be someone who can be relied on to miss bats at the back end and Alzolay has been that arm for the past two years. It would do the Cubs much better to keep him around for the long haul to stabilize the bullpen.

2. Yan Gomes may be part of a trade package to San Diego

Assuming he doesn't receive an extension from the Cubs before the deadline, the thought is that Marcus Stroman will almost certainly be traded for a haul at the deadline. One rumor, however, had him as a package target alongside the team's stalwart catcher Yan Gomes. The San Diego Padres, in need of reinforcement in both the rotation and behind the plate, could make a play at both guys.

Gomes has been one of the team's most invaluable pieces over the course of the season. At the plate, he sports a 94 wRC+ which, for a catcher, is solid. Against lefties, he's been a monster with a 1.040 OPS to his name, good for a 175 wRC+. The real value, however, comes from what he does behind the plate. Both the Cubs organization and pitchers have nothing but respect for Gomes for how handles the staff. When he's behind the plate, Cubs pitchers have a collective 4.17 ERA which stands as the best mark on the team aside from Miguel Amaya in a much smaller sample.

Speaking of Amaya, it's hard not to feel strongly about pairing him with Gomes behind the plate next year. Amaya is still young, yet he's also earned high marks for his game calling. Having Gomes would not only give the Cubs two excellent receivers but ensure Amaya has a veteran presence by his side to help him come into his own as a catcher.

Gomes still has a club option for 2024 as well which, given all he contributes to the team, would be a no-brainer even as he'd enter his age 26 season. There's no reason to ship him off when he still has value to a team that looks to compete next year.

3. Marcus Stroman could be shipped off for massive package

This is wishful thinking on my part, but let's address the other part of that rumor. On the one hand, the logic of trading Stroman seems very simple. The Cubs are likely out of this year and Stroman, with an opt-out after this year, would almost certainly try his hand in free agency. At a 2.42 ERA and 3.48 FIP, he'd be the top arm on the trade market. The farm system is full of tantalizing pitching depth and the free agent class next year is stacked including the likes of Julio Urias and Aaron Nola.

Trading Stroman could net the Cubs a ton and then they could simply sign an ace off the market next year to pair with Justin Steele. The thing is, for as straightforward as that all seems, I still blanch at the thought of trading him. For one, Stroman wants to stay in Chicago. A player's desire is hardly going to completely sway front-office decisions, but here, it still feels mutually beneficial. Stroman projects as a pitcher who will age well and, in terms of performance, he's been ace quality and quite durable since 2019.

As mentioned in Alzolay's case, pitching depth is hardly a sure thing either. Hayden Wesneski, who seemed primed to be a mid-rotation starter after his excellent first look last year, has struggled massively this year. Caleb Killian still hasn't fixed his control issues. Even Steele, for as good as he is now, took multiple years and role changes to become a stud. It's not like Stroman would stop that depth from coming up and making an impact either. Injuries happen and there will be ample opportunities in the rotation in the coming years.

As for free agency, that'll require spending top dollar against other teams that will also be hungry to add more firepower to their own rotations. It's hardly a sure thing that the Cubs would come away from free agency in 2024 with the ace they desire. They know Stroman has an interest in staying and they've worked with him for the past two years now. The pair behind him is even set up to help a pitcher like him with Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner playing stellar defense up the middle.

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It feels wrong for the Cubs to create a new hole to cover with free agency or prospects when they already have such a good fit in Stroman. An extension would and should be the ideal outcome considering the desire from the man himself and the hope that 2024 will be their first real year of contention. Nothing barring a deal will stop the rumors from flying, but it's a deal this team needs to get done with their ace.

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