The Chicago Cubs (52-47) have fallen out of the second wild-card spot after their recent slide and the club clearly needs to improve a few areas if it wants to continue a push for the postseason. Trade rumors indicate the team is in talks with the San Diego Padres regarding a couple of players.
No, James Shields is not one of them. That speculation has been popular over the past week or so, but multiple reports have made it clear that Shields is off the Cubs' radar. Instead, another Padres' starter is being targeted by the team's front office, as we discussed yesterday.
"The Cubs are looking hard for pitching help and see the San Diego Padres as a possible match, major-league sources said, with Tyson Ross being viewed as an ideal fit leading up to the July 31 trade deadline," writes Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago.
Ian Kennedy is also a potential option that the Cubs would consider, but he'll be a free agent after this season and Chicago would prefer a starter they can control beyond 2015. With that being said, Ross will not be cheap because he doesn't hit the open market until after 2017 and he's under a bargain salary until then. However, there is a way the Cubs can get a deal for Ross done that would help both sides.
San Diego is looking to rid themselves of the various excessive contractual obligations they inherited in the offseason, which contribute to the organization's franchise-record payroll ($108 million) in 2015. One of those big contracts belongs to closer Craig Kimbrel, who is owed nearly $30 million through 2017, which is an investment that would be pretty much useless for San Diego considering they aren't contending this year and likely won't be in the next season or two. Could the right-hander be packaged with Ross?
ESPN Insider Jim Bowden proposed a trade for the Cubs involving Ross and Kimbrel yesterday.
"San Diego Padres trade RHP Tyson Ross and RHP Craig Kimbrel to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for SS Starlin Castro, RHP C.J. Edwards, OF Billy McKinney and RHP Pierce Johnson," Bowden wrote in his column.
And he provided his reasoning:
"This trade would solve two of Chicago's most glaring problems, with the Cubs adding both an impact starter to pitch behind Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta, as well as one of the game's best closers in Kimbrel. In return, the Padres solve their shortstop issues with Castro, add a young middle-of-rotation starter in Edwards, a power bat and long-term left field solution in McKinney and another pitching prospect in Johnson. The financial savings in the deal also gives the Padres payroll flexibility to improve the team in other areas."
However, it's possible prospect Javier Baez interests the Padres more, so Castro might not be on the move, especially after being told by manager Joe Maddon he won't be traded, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com and Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
The Cubs might deem that price prohibitive (if that's at all part of the discussion) as they've indicated in the past they weren't too keen on surrendering their top minor-league talent. However, Kimbrel would give them one of the best options at closer through the 2017 season and anchor a bullpen that has been fairly shaky while Ross would vastly improve their rotation depth and leave them with the financials to pursue a marquee free agent starter in the offseason (David Price, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmermann, Zack Greinke, Jeff Samardzija, etc.)
After all, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein indicated to Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com that all trade possibilities are in play as the club has explored both rental and long-term options.
"If we do something on the bigger end, it will involve players that will help us beyond this year," Epstein said. "If we do something on the smaller side, it will probably be more for a rental."
Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
The Cubs are still in talks with the Phillies for Cole Hamels and it's been said they would not pursue David Price if the Tigers were to make him available. They haven't had much interest in rental pitchers as of late (especially now since Samardzija may not be traded), which could indicate they're looking at the bigger picture. The prices are also high for the marquee rental pitchers on the market and the Cubs don't want to risk making a deal for someone who could leave after this season.
While many believe Chicago could make the postseason this year, it's fairly evident this team is built for the future, despite their surprising success in 2015. The National League is extremely competitive this year with the Cardinals, Dodgers, Nationals, Pirates and Giants holding the playoff spots right now and the Cubs and Mets keeping them in sight.
The team likely has a plan in motion to move Addison Russell over to shortstop as soon as they can and they still need a left fielder. The postseason is certainly reachable, but this Cubs team is looking ahead. Judging by the various prudent moves Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer have made thus far, if the team pulls off a blockbuster deal it will be for players they can control for the next couple of seasons.
So keep your eye on Ross and Kimbrel to possibly be in a Cubs uniform before Friday at 4 p.m. ET.
