The Chicago Cubs are exploring just about every starting pitching option on the market. Trade rumors have linked them to Cole Hamels, David Price, Jeff Samardzija and others, but it looks like one San Diego Padres' pitcher has caught their attention.
"Cubs' focus in talks with Padres is on Tyson Ross," FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal tweeted yesterday.
And it looks like they'll have some competition with other clubs.
"Tyson Ross is an extremely popular man on the trade market, with the Blue Jays, Astros, Dodgers, Rangers and others interested," Jon Heyman of CBS Sports wrote yesterday.
"The Padres probably would prefer to move James Shields and/or Andrew Cashner, but Ross would bring a much bigger return."
Heyman also noted the Padres are "pushing hard" to move some of their bigger name players to free themselves of excessive contractual obligations, but Ross is garnering perhaps the most interest right now (aside from Justin Upton) because he's under club control through 2017 at a bargain price.
The right-hander is 6-8 with a 3.45 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 132 strikeouts in 21 starts (122 2/3 innings) this season and is just the type of pitcher the Cubs are looking to land.
FOX Sports' Jon Morosi added that Chicago has "discussed Starlin Castro with the Padres" after they inquired about San Diego's starting pitching. However, it's likely Castro won't be enough to land Ross because of the shortstop's poor all-around campaign this season.
Morosi previously suggested a James Shields-for-Castro swap could make sense for both sides because the Padres would save money (Shields is owed $65 million from 2016-2018) and Castro could benefit from a change of scenery. We also discussed this, but ESPN Insider Buster Olney has some insight on Shields' current standing on the trade market.
"Some rival evaluators believe the trade deadline won't really apply to James Shields, because of the $60-plus million owed to him over the next three seasons," he wrote in today's column. "Rather, the expectation is that Shields would clear waivers in August, presenting the Padres more time and opportunity to trade him before the offseason begins."
He also explicitly stated the Cubs are not pursuing Shields.
Additionally, the Cubs are in talks with the Phillies regarding Hamels, so Chicago is probably looking for a cheaper starter, especially since they're expected to make a run at David Price in the offseason.
With Javier Baez returning to action in the minors this week after missing a month and a half due to a broken finger, the Cubs could put him at second base (if he shows the consistency he displayed prior to the injury) and move Addison Russell over to shortstop if Castro is traded.
But Baez is also involved in trade discussions, so the Cubs might have to use Jonathan Herrera at second if both Castro and Baez are dealt.
The bottom line is that Chicago is looking to add depth to their starting rotation and it's expected to happen before the trade deadline on Friday. Keep an eye on Hamels and Ross over the next three days.
