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3 surprising trade targets who could transform the Cubs 2024 roster
Craig Counsell is going to need talent on his new team so here are 3 guys the Cubs may target this offseason
Hot off the heels of the Cubs landing Craig Counsell as their next manager, the team could be the most attractable location for top free agents and trade acquisitions. With a wealth of prospects to deal this winter and some money freed up when Marcus Stroman opted out of his deal, the Cubs could make even more splashes in the coming months and I am here for it.
Here are three trade targets that would transform the 2024 Cubs and make them serious competitors.
1. Corbin Burnes
Okay, this may be a bit of a stretch, especially after Milwaukee just lost their golden boy manager to their most formidable division rival. Do I think they are going to turn around and trade their ace to the very same team? No. I am not an idiot and neither are the Brewers. But this is my pie-in-the-sky fantasy so just listen.
We know that Burnes felt slighted by the Brewers way before Craig Counsell left the team. During his arbitration hearing last winter, the team straight up blamed him for not making the playoffs according to what Burnes said to reporters in February.
"Obviously, it's tough to hear. It's tough to take. They're trying to do what they can to win a hearing," Burnes said in Spring Training. "There's no denying that the relationship is definitely hurt from what transpired over the last couple weeks. There's really no way of getting around that."
These words came after the Brewers took the 2021 Cy Young Award winner to a hearing that they eventually won. Burnes wanted $10.75 million while the team eventually gave him $10.01. I think that margin speaks for itself. Ever since this debacle, Burnes has been the subject of trade rumors and it is almost expected that he will be moved especially since extension talks have also been nonexistent.
Burnes would instantly slot into the very top of the Cubs' rotation. Since 2020, Burnes owns a 2.86 ERA with 765 strikeouts (second in MLB), a Cy Young Award, and an ERA title. Perhaps most importantly, Burnes has been able to stay healthy and eat innings the last two years with 202 and 193.2 IP in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
What are the chances that the Brewers trade their ace to the Cubs? Almost zero simply because they are division rivals. But the Cubs could use a pitcher like Burnes, the Brewers are likely going to trade him and the Cubs have the prospect capital to get him. If the Cubs wanted to demoralize an entire fanbase again, make an offer for Burnes.
2. Juan Soto
In what looks like a shockingly more realistic target, the Cubs could solve a lot of problems by bringing in superstar Juan Soto. Although he isn't a tremendous defender, Soto is simply one of the best hitters in baseball full stop. He has yet to post a year where he didn't eclipse a .400 on-base percentage while he consistently is a 30-home run 90 RBI guy.
Soto is the type of hitter that would ascend the Cubs' lineup to the next level and give them a true bopper to put in the 3-hole. The only problem with this deal is you would probably either have to move Christopher Morel or Ian Happ to get it done. That is if the Cubs are seriously unwilling to teach Morel how to play third base because all signs point toward that conclusion at this juncture. But if it means getting Soto, it would be a serious upgrade.
3. Pete Alonso
Clearly, the Cubs need a first baseman and who better than the guy who cranks 40+ home runs a season. Pete Alonso is another premiere bat that would make the Cubs scary. Imagine how many home runs Nico Hoerner would be along the ride for with Alonso batting cleanup. Oh, it sounds so sweet.
The thing is, similar to Soto, Alonso is only under contract through the 2024 season before hitting free agency. If you swing a deal like this, the Cubs will have to get assurance that a long-term extension is wanted on the other side. Alonso will get paid by someone and the Cubs would be wise to reach even deeper into that Rickets cash to get a guy like this because the need for power in this lineup has been a constant for years at this point and you don't want Alonso going to a rival team like the Reds or Cardinals.
You would also need to be willing to part with top-tier prospects to get this trade done along with someone like Morel or Happ. Again, Alonso is a guy that I'd be comfortable with the Cubs sacrificing talent for with the amount of power he displays. And hopefully with the addition of Counsell, guys like Alonso and Soto would be willing to sign long-term deals with Chicago, especially with an established core of Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki (and hopefully Cody Bellinger) in place.
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