The Chicago Cubs have been one of the biggest winners of the MLB offseason this year, which is music to the ears of fans who have grown frustrated with the team’s lack of aggressiveness in recent year.
Heading into this offseason, fans were hoping to see Jed Hoyer and the front office swing big. Over the last few years, the Cubs have operated more like a small market team than the big market team they are. Chicago has almost looked scared to spend money.
All of that changed this offseason.
To start, the Cubs went out and made a splash trade with the Miami Marlins for starting pitcher Edward Cabrera. Following that move up, Hoyer was able to lock in veteran star third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency to a five-year, $175 million deal that included deferred money.
While the big moves of the offseason appear likely to be over for Chicago, a new trade suggestion has been made for the franchise. This trade pitch would see a deal with the Detroit Tigers for superstar ace Tarik Skubal.
Chicago Cubs’ Potential Trade Package for Tarik Skubal Suggested
FanSided’s Christopher Kline believes that the Cubs would be a great landing spot for Tarik Skubal if the Tigers move him. He also suggested what it would take for a deal to get done.
In his suggested deal, Chicago would send pitching prospects Jaxon Wiggins and Brandon Birdsell, outfielder Kevin Alcantara, along with infield prospect Jonathon Long.
Kline provided a breakdown of what Detroit would be getting in those players.
“For Detroit, this move gives them a couple quality bats and a couple quality arms. Both Jaxon Wiggins, 24, and Brandon Birdsell, 25, are on the precipice of MLB,” Kline wrote. “Alcántara offers a blend of speed and pop in the outfield that ought to capture the imagination of Tigers fans. Jonathon Long has limitations on defense, but he hits a baseball extremely hard. He posted a .305 average and .883 OPS with 20 home runs in 140 Triple-A games last season.”
That would be a nice haul for the Tigers. As for the Cubs, they would be going all-in on winning now and using some top-tier young talent to acquire one of the best pitchers in baseball.
What Would the Cubs Be Getting in Skubal?
Skubal is one of the biggest names in Major League Baseball. He has been a one-man wrecking crew with Detroit and would instantly make Chicago a much more serious World Series contender.
Last season with the Tigers, the 29-year-old ace made 31 starts. He compiled a 13-6 record to go along with a 2.21 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP, a 7.3 K/BB ratio, and 195.1 innings pitched.
Those numbers would do wonders for the Cubs. He would add to an already solid rotation that includes Shota Imanaga, Cabrera, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Cade Horton. Justin Steele is also expected to return at some point early in the year.
Fans should not get their hopes up for a Skubal to Chicago trade. It’s extremely unlikely that the Cubs would be willing to get this aggressive. However, it’s fun to think about.
Chicago Cubs Mentioned in Blockbuster Tarik Skubal Trade Pitch