The next Chicago Cubs closer may be on the Chicago White Sox

The early struggles of the Chicago Cubs bullpen have already left many fans emphatic that the Cubs must not wait to make an impact trade in order to add an effective high-leverage relief pitcher to their pitching staff.

It's very rare that an impact trade is made during the first month of the season given the fact that many teams do not begin getting a sniff of whether or not they will be selling at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline until Memorial Day at the end of May.

There are exceptions and this season, the Chicago White Sox would be one of them.

The White Sox entered the 2024 season with a minor-league roster with the exception of All-Star center fielder Luis Robert Jr, designated hitter Eloy Jimenez, and third baseman Yoan Moncada. The issue, much like was the case during the White Sox contention window over the past three seasons, is that all three players are currently on the IL. Moncada may be out for the season, Robert is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, and Jimenez is expected back this month.

The Chicago White Sox may once again be a trade partner for the Chicago Cubs.

It wouldn't be entirely out of the question that the For Sale has already gone on the Southside and we are not talking about their stadium.

The White Sox will be sellers at the Trade Deadline and there is an arm in their bullpen that should be very intriguing for the Cubs.

Michael Kopech could be the closer that the Cubs originally thought they were getting in Codi Heuer when the team shipped Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox in 2021.

Kopech was moved from the White Sox starting rotation to their bullpen this season and this week saw the potential he has in a high-leverage situation. Kopech earned a two-inning save against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday while striking out 4 of the 6 batters that he faced. Not to mention, Kopech's average fastball velocity is sitting at 98.5 MPH.

Kopech has one more season of team control after this season and would be a terrific addition to the Cubs. Given the outfield prospects that the Cubs have at the top of their farm, the fit for a potential trade is there.