The Chicago Cubs are in the market for one of the top free agent starters, but they'd also probably be willing to acquire an additional cost-controlled arm to add depth to their rotation behind Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and whomever they sign.
San Diego Padres right-hander Tyson Ross could be that guy, according to the latest rumors.
However, this is nothing new. The Cubs and Padres reportedly engaged in trade talks involving Ross before the non-waiver deadline, but neither side could come to an agreement as San Diego stood pat and was confident they could contend in the NL West.
Chicago was also dangling Starlin Castro and Javier Baez in those talks (based on the rumors) and it's possible Padres general manager A.J. Preller didn't think he was getting good value in return due to Castro's poor first half of 2015 and Baez's fall from grace since making his MLB debut in late 2014.
Could the two sides re-visit the talks involving different players possibly going to San Diego? ESPN Insider Jim Bowden thinks so.
"The Cubs would like to trade for young, controllable starting pitchers and they match up well with the Padres because they are looking for an inexpensive middle-of-the-order corner outfielder that's capable of replacing the production they're losing from free-agent Justin Upton," he writes.
As a result, Bowden suggests the Cubs send outfielder Jorge Soler and prospect starter Carl Edwards Jr. to the Padres in exchange for Ross.
Over the past two seasons (both his only as a full-time starter), Ross went 23-26 with a 3.03 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 64 starts. He's under club control through 2017 with two arbitration-eligible years ahead of him.
Ross, 28, is expected to earn $10 million in his second year of arbitration eligibility this offseason, according to MLBTradeRumors.com, and the Pads may not be looking to pay another sizeable annual salary as they endure a mini rebuild, especially since they more than likely won't be able to get rid of the big contracts belonging to Matt Kemp and James Shields.
Earlier this month it was reported the Padres are looking to move Ross, so the Cubs could certainly be a top destination.
Soler and Edwards would be nice additions for San Diego given their current situation. Soler, 23, is signed through 2020 for about $22 million and Edwards, 24, could be a solid MLB starter (even though the Cubs converted him to a reliever at Double-A and Triple-A this season).
But why should Chicago trade both of these players and how would they improve the Padres?
The Cubs are moving fast and may not wait for Soler to catch up. He has not shown the power expected of him, but he still has great potential and would have a bit more time to develop in San Diego as the Padres figure some things out. Edwards would improve the Padres' farm system for the time being and he's not far off from being an everyday major leaguer. The Cubs wouldn't need him (as a starter) if they have Lester, Arrieta, Ross, (insert high-profile free agent) and Jason Hammel/Kyle Hendricks in 2016. If they had planned to use him as a reliever, then they can easily address that void on the cheap in free agency.
Preller has already gotten the ball rolling on trades in moving Craig Kimbrel and Joaquin Benoit, on top of overhauling the coaching staff. Right now it doesn't seem like anyone is a safe bet to stay in San Diego and Ross could be the next player gone.
