While the Cubs and Mets clashed in a four game set on the diamond, the front offices spent some time discussing assets and the possibility of a deal being struck. The Cubs are in need of pitching, with a few arms standing between them and a very deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the Mets believe they are a franchise shortstop away from creating a dynasty with dreams of October. Each team is strong in the others’ area of need, and it looks to be a perfect match to make something happen.
“We haven’t made a deal yet, but there’s been matches that made sense, and I’m sure we’ll talk to them in the future,” Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer said of the conversations with New York. “It’ll happen at some point.”
Today, Bleacher Report took the first crack at guessing what kind of pieces would be included in a blockbuster between the Cubs and Mets. The trade proposed was as follows:
Cubs get: SP Jacob DeGrom, RP Rafael Montero, and C Kevin Plawecki
Mets get: SS Starlin Castro, IF/OF Arismendy Alcantara, and 1B Dan Vogelbach
The argument for the deal is that it is a proven shortstop for a top young arm, with supporting cast members that fill other voids on each team respectively.
The Cubs need to be cautious, though, not to overestimate the value of the infield depth. By trading Castro and Alcantara, they would be losing two of the valuable pieces that contribute to the insane depth of the middle infield. Javier Baez is a valuable piece, but hasn’t proven to be a major contributor at the big league level. Meanwhile, Castro is a centerpiece for what the Cubs have done so far, and has a very team-friendly contract going forward for the next few years.
Right now, the Cubs look like they are about to get to clicking on all cylinders. The infield is a collection of big names, from Bryant to Castro to Russell to Rizzo. That has the makings of a historic squad that can lead the Cubs to a decade of success. To break that up would require an offer that would revolutionize a different facet of the game, and DeGrom just isn’t that.
Rather than using Castro, a veteran presence in the clubhouse, as trade bait, it might better serve the Cubs to use Baez as a high-ceiling gamble for a trade partner. Will this have an impact on the return? Certainly. But it is well worth it to maintain the services of one of the National League’s best shortstops, rather than betting on the development on an offensive monster with strikeout problems.
Another motivation to the trade proposed by BR is the need for the Cubs to find their “Catcher of the Future,” believing that Plawecki could be that backstop. The flaw in this notion is the assumption that Kyle Schwarber doesn’t have a future as a catcher in the league. As a hitter, Schwarber is already begging for his turn at the big league level. Defensively, it seems like the Cubs simply can’t make up their mind. Every few months there is a new article about the hard work he is putting in behind the dish, and how much progress he is making. Then, soon after, we hear that the Cubs are in need of an answer for the future. My money is on Schwarber as a central piece of the Cubs future, and willing to put in the work to make himself invaluable wherever he is needed. It is most certainly not worth it to part ways with Castro to add another name to the mix at a position with a variety of options.
The inclusion of Vogelbach is the one bright spot in this deal. Vogelbach is a strong prospect who has had years of success, but is stuck behind, debatably, the game’s best first baseman for the future. With no real ability to find a different position, the sooner the Cubs can get some return for the hefty first-sacker the better.
On the whole, the Cubs are in a holding pattern with a huge volume of talent at several positions. While they are in need of starting pitching, they should be very thoughtful about giving up a proven star with a team-friendly contract in favor of pitching that might come at too high a price. Waiting to see how the trade market develops in July could be huge for the Cubs to maintain their leadership core while also getting the veteran pitching that will throw them over the edge into a deep playoff threat.
If you enjoy the work of the Zoot Perspective, please visit my GoFundMe page, to help support me on my journey. Thank you very much.
No comments:
Post a Comment