The Cubs pitchers have looked like completely different guys compared to the 2016 club that lead the league in ERA and sported one of the best BABIP’s baseball has ever seen. The 2017 Cubs pitching staff, while still one of the top 10 leaders in team ERA at 3.83, are still in need of more arms to add to their club.
With Brett Anderson imploded while sequentially landing on the DL and Jake Arrieta sporting a 5.44 ERA in eight starts this season, the Cubs pitching has gone from a strength to a major concern.
Currently at 18-19, the Cubs are 3.5 back in the division, and have already called upon young starts like Eddie Butler and Rob Zastryzny so far this season, but it’s unlikely either of those arms solve the Cubs pitching crisis. However, one name that could possibly alleviate the Cubs pitching issues would be Zack Greinke – an arm that the Cubs apparently have been heavily scouting since Spring Training.
According to Keith Law, who spoke on Buster Olney’s Baseball Tonight podcast, Law reports that the Cubs have shown a serious interest in the 33-year-old former Cy Young winner.
“I’d heard specifically they were scouting Zack Greinke pretty heavily in spring training; more than just ordinary spring training coverage. And that that was part of a plan to go out and scout pitchers with multiple years of control remaining and potential to be a one or two starter in their rotation.”
Greinke is coming off a lackluster debut season in Arizona ending 2016 with a 4.37 ERA and the worst HR/FB rate of his career, however he is having himself a nice bounce-back season thus far in 2017. Registering a 2.79 ERA and encouraging 10.10 K/9, Greinke looks to be back to form, making him an excellent trade candidate for the Cubs.
Now, Greinke is only on year two of his massive six-year $206.5 million deal that has him making roughly $31 million per year. The Diamondbacks look like they could be a team in the playoff hunt with their 22-18 record, but if Arizona starts to slide, the club might be more likely to move Greinke while also absorbing some of his owned money.
Regardless, it is nothing more than a rumor, but a deal between the Diamondbacks and Cubs could make more sense as the trade deadline approaches.
