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How’s that for a blockbuster trade?
It’s the middle of July, the MLB All-Star Game was just played and there is nothing interesting happening in the sports world and then all of a sudden we’re treated to a huge deal.
#Cubs today acquired LHP José Quintana from the #WhiteSox for OF Eloy Jimenez, RHP Dylan Cease, and INFs Matt Rose and Bryant Flete. pic.twitter.com/R8E9u9anls
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 13, 2017
The Chicago Cubs did exactly what they’ve been telling fans for months they were going to do. Jose Quintana is under contract through 2020, owed $29.85 million for the next three years. Having to trade away Eloy Jimenez stings, but that was always going to be the price for a top of the rotation pitcher.
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It was a great deal for both sides, as the White Sox added two more top-100 prospects in MLB. Jimenez was recently ranked No. 5. For the Cubs, Quintana joins the North Side being one of the most consistent starting pitchers since 2013. He’s been as valuable as Jon Lester for the past 4.5 years.
#Cubs fWAR leaders 2013-present
1. Kershaw 33.5
2.Scherzer 27.8
3. Sale 26.8
4. Kluber 24.3
5. Price 22.2
6. Lester 20.1
7. Quintana 20.1— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) July 13, 2017
Anyway, there have been some Cubs fans upset about having to trade Eloy Jimenez, but no matter what a fan-favorite was going to be shipped off for a starting pitcher. And the Cubs desperately needed a starter and now they have a great No. 2, who has the potential to be even better in the National League.
So, Jimenez is gone, but the Cubs and White Sox were reportedly talking about Kyle Schwarber. However, the White Sox weren’t going to let Jimenez slip away.
#WhiteSox and #Cubs talked about Kyle Schwarber. #WhiteSox wouldn't get off Eloy Jimenez.
— Brian Bilek (@BrianBilek_) July 13, 2017
And yeah, Schwarber’s been terrible in 2017, but he still hasn’t played an entire MLB season and has proven power.
Yet, Jimenez may not have been what put the deal through. It appears as though Dylan Cease was the tipping point.
White Sox's Hahn says Jimenez and Cease "were essential to this package" to deal Quintana to #Cubs
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 13, 2017
Obviously the White Sox wanted the top-hitting prospect but getting another arm was important as well.
Wonder how fans would have felt if this deal was made in the offseason, before Schwarber’s bad first half. Would White Sox fans prefer Schwarber more at that point?
Anyway, there aren’t many days when every baseball fan in Chicago can be happy. Today is one of those. A total win-win trade for the Cubs and White Sox.
