Manager Joe Maddon believes prospect catcher Kyle Schwarber could help the Chicago Cubs at some point in 2015. If that eventually happens, it's possible the team uses other prospects as trade bait before this year's deadline.
Schwarber has been crushing the ball at Double-A Tennessee and is currently batting .305/.440/.595/1.030 with 25 runs scored, 10 home runs and 26 RBIs in 41 games so far this season. The 22-year-old has played 36 of his 93 career minor-league games in left field, which is where he might play for the Cubs if he's promoted.
"The Cubs have been developing him as a catcher long-term, but they'll soon shift gears and move him to left field. Why? Because Miguel Montero is signed through 2017, Schwarber's bat is ready now, and the Cubs need more production from left field," writes ESPN Insider Jim Bowden.
If this position move is what Maddon and the front office have in mind, Bowden posits the Cubs could dangle some of their top prospects to work on bolstering other areas of their 25-man roster, which is bound to spur more trade rumors.
"Schwarber's position move and subsequent promotion also could mean the Cubs will use Javier Baez and Billy McKinney as trade bait to acquire the starter and two relievers they need to put them over the top. Perhaps a Baez to the Mets for Steven Matz trade is in order? Or maybe it's Baez, McKinney and a pitching prospect for Hamels and Papelbon?"
While any of these options seem possible at this point, the most talked about such trade involved the Mets because New York has a surplus of starting pitching (which the Cubs need) and Chicago has a surplus of middle infielders (which the Mets need). Even general manager Jed Hoyer said the two clubs will talk in the future.
Baez-for-Matz has been speculated for quite some time and the buzz continued this weekend.
Jim Duquette of MLB.com believes the "safe trade" for both of these clubs would be to exchange the two prospects.
"We have not seen the best of Baez at the Major League level, especially last season, when he struck out at an alarming rate of 41.5 percent. But there is no denying his power potential, athleticism and overall talent in the middle of the diamond. Unlike Wilmer Flores, Baez is a true shortstop and would provide at least as much power and much better defense with more upside.
"He rose through the Cubs' farm system as a shortstop and is blocked by both Starlin Castro and Addison Russell at this point, so he seems a perfect trade candidate.
"Matz's value has consistently risen each season, and from seeing him this spring and speaking with several scouts, he has a chance to be a premium left-handed starter, featuring a terrific fastball-curve-change combo. Although he is a Long Island kid, Matz -- the Mets' No. 3 prospect -- would fit nicely in Chicago with lefty Jon Lester as his mentor and he could help the Cubs as soon this summer."
Yes, Baez is still a work-in-progress. He displayed that during his short stint with the Cubs last season when he struck out 95 times in 52 games and then continued those struggles this offseason in the Puerto Rican Winter League and in spring training. His fielding is also a bit of an issue - he has 11 errors in 23 games at shortstop and second base so far this season at Triple-A Iowa.
However, he has rebounded offensively and is now batting .311/.388/.522/.911 with 12 runs scored, 5 home runs, 17 RBIs and 6 stolen bases in 24 games this season. Perhaps his struggles in the field can be attributed to him not settling in one position. Nonetheless, scouts in the Cubs' organization insist he's an excellent defender, and so has Maddon.
Mets' GM Sandy Alderson said the team is being patient with Wilmer Flores, who is batting .252/.287/.434 with 19 runs scored, 7 home runs and 19 RBIs in 41 games this season. However, it's unknown how long they can wait as the club continues to deal with injuries and a struggling offense.
Baez is only 22 years old and could perhaps be a good piece to make up the club's middle infield of the future along with second baseman Dilson Herrera.
The Cubs ranks fifth in the MLB in starter's ERA (3.65), but they view themselves as legitimate contenders after exceeding expectations so far this year. They'll need another quality starter they can develop and get into the rotation this year to continue their playoff push. An already established arm (such as Hamels) wouldn't hurt, but it would cost them much more in a trade.
Bowden thinks it's not much longer before Chicago's front office makes a move.
"One thing's for sure: The Cubs' timetable has been moved up, and Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are in position to make their next deal sooner rather than later."
