The Cubs are back to .500 ball after yesterday’s 9-5 win over Pittsburgh, however, the team needed a late ninth-inning surge to snatch back the lead to pull out the win. And while yesterday’s game was fun and included another solid performance from Anthony Rizzo as the team’s lead-off hitter, this team’s two biggest holes are becoming excruciatingly obvious.
Another reliable starting pitcher and a table-setting center fielder.
The Cubs have been linked to a few names over the last few weeks, guys like Sonny Gray of the Athletics and Christian Yelich of the Marlins. Now, while both of these options would be fantastic, it’s unlikely that the Cubs could swing a deal for both of these players. So, one of the Cubs weaknesses would either go unaddressed or or a lesser player would be acquired to help fill the void.
Hey #Cubs fans, which one of these players would you rather see Theo make a trade for?
— Sean Sears (@sean_sears6) June 15, 2017
While that plan wouldn’t be bad, the Cubs are equally struggling in both positions. To make another run to the World Series, they need their offense scoring more than 4.7 runs per game, and their pitching has to register an ERA better than 4.21. Both parts need improvement, but the Cubs can only make a massive deal for one of these guys. But what if they could make a deal with one team and solve both their needs?
Kansas City Shuffle
The Royals are sitting 3 games back from 1st place with a 32-34 record, and while they are only a game worse than the Cubs, Kansas City seems like a team that has seen it’s playoff window expire. And with the team is looking to re-stock for the next generation of Royals, current center fielder and free-agent to be Lorenzo Cain seems like a obvious trade piece at this year’s deadline.
At 31, Cain is no more than a rental with a likely large payday coming this off season, however that could make the asking price reasonable for the former 2015 World Series MVP. Currently, Cain is slashing .283/.358/.467 with 10 home runs, 37 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases for a struggling Royal club.
Making his case – Lorenzo Cain has homered SIX times over his past 6 games.@Esurance #ASG ballot: https://t.co/MpQfmNrTM2 #ASGWorthy pic.twitter.com/zPqC6P4Coh
— MLB (@MLB) June 17, 2017
After talking with a few sources and colleagues, the consensus on Cain is that the Cubs could possibly offer a prospect like INF Jeimer Candelario and a mid-tier prospect to land the lead-off hitter. Candelario, while a promising top 100 prospect in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline, lacks a spot to play everyday for the big league club. And to add an elite lead-off hitter with some pop like Cain, even though it would somewhat hurting the farm system, would be a win for me.
But, what if the Cubs could solve their pitching issues in the same deal? Insert LHP Danny Duffy, the Royals 28-year-old long reliever-turned starter. Duffy, who is battling a Grade 1 oblique strain, is on year one of a five-year, $65 mil contract (an extremely team-friendly deal). Before the oblique strain, Duffy was cruising to a 3.54 ERA and FIP with an incredible 5.1% home run/fly-ball rate through 11 starts. The numbers along with his plus contract, profiles Duffy as the exact type of player the Cubs have been targeting to add to their rotation.
Adding a young, controllable arm that’s as cost efficient as Duffy would give the Cubs the arm they have been searching for, while also freeing up future money to spend on the clubs young core, like Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, etc. But, to acquire two talented players in one deal is not going to come cheap.
What’s It Going To Take?
Of course, the deal would take more than just Candelario and another prospect for this trade to be pulled off. To start, either Ian Happ or Eloy Jimenez will have to headline this deal, plus Candelario, and possibly a pitching prospect. Cubs top pitching prospect Dylan Cease could be involved, guys like the impressive Trevor Clifton or bulky Oscar De La Cruz may also be options. But a package surround either Happ or Jimenez, or even both, plus a few other pieces is likely the cost for the Cubs to acquire both Duffy and Cain.
Just to clarify, I have not heard the Cubs have any interest in either players as of right now. Sources have told me the Cubs might be against the rental idea all together, but if a player like Cain could be paired with a lefty like Duffy, you can bet Theo Epstein will give serious thought to that trade.
Now, the risk is high to trade for a rental and an injury prone pitcher, however if the Cubs win another World Series in 2017 or Duffy eventually helps the Cubs win another title is that not worth the pieces they forfeited to win it all? In my book, I’m looking at this trade as a win – as long as Eloy Jimenez stays in the Chicago Cubs farm system.