Shane Baz trade may not be the Cubs disaster it looked like at first glance

Mike Elias and the Baltimore Orioles shocked everyone when they signed Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal in early December and they pulled off another huge move this weekend, acquiring former first-round pick Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for four prospects and a competitive balance pick in next summer's MLB Draft.

The Chicago Cubs were never connected to Baz in any sort of official rumor, but the move could end up impacting the club regardless. Baltimore was in dire need of impact starting pitching (I suppose you can make the case they should add another even with Baz in tow) - but if this is their big add, it potentially crosses them off the list of Edward Cabrera suitors.

Cubs target Edward Cabrera was rumored to be on the Orioles' radar

Cabrera, 27, is one of the most popular names in trade rumors this offseason - and fit the bill for what the Orioles have long needed: a controllable arm to anchor the rotation. He won't come cheap. We knew that long before we saw the strong return Tampa Bay netted in the Baz trade. But the Cubs definitely have the pieces to get it done considering their top-heavy farm system and expendable pieces like Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks who could be included in a deal.

The asking price on Cabrera, as well as multiple other starters, kept Jed Hoyer from landing one at the trade deadline - and it proved fatal in October. It's hard to envision a scenario where the Cubs don't add an impact starter, even with Shota Imanaga back in the fold, and Cabrera checks all the boxes.

Like I said, Baltimore could show a previously unseen aggression and look to pair Baz with another big arm atop the rotation, but we've never seen Elias push his chips to the center of the table in such dramatic fashion. Assuming they feel they addressed this huge need, the road to Hoyer also doing something he finds uncomfortable has become at least a little bit clearer.