Garrett Crochet (Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images)
As the Chicago Cubs‘ roster is currently constructed, there are a bunch of high-end prospects with no place to go on the major-league roster. In other words, the Cubs’ prospects are dead asset. And the Cubs can’t start the season with that situation intact.
On the other side of Chicago, the woebegone (I’m contractually obligated to call them that) White Sox have one major asset, Garrett Crochet. Crochet is the type of asset any team could use, but he would be especially useful to the Cubs. He’s a top of the rotation starter, with years of cost control. And the White Sox desperately need position players. The Cubs could put together a prospect and save some more for the free agent market.
The Cubs and White Sox have dealt with each other in the past
While the Cubs and White Sox haven’t traded with each other very often, they have on occasion. In recent memory the Cubs sent Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease to the White Sox for Jose Quintana. That wasn’t the best move the Cubs have made, but it shouldn’t stop them from doing what is necessary to improve the team.
The White Sox need help almost everywhere. A package of something like second baseman James Triantos, right fielder Owen Caissie and outfielder Kevin Alcantara might get it done.
With the Cubs retaining top prospects Matt Shaw, Cam Smith and Moises Ballesteros, the Cubs farm system would remain in good shape.
What to do with the free agent money
The Cubs have been linked to Braves’ free agent pitcher Max Fried, though I’m not convinced they will pay the money necessary to sign him. Thus, the trade for Crochet. Still picking another free agent pitcher would be a prudent move.
If the Cubs deem Fried too expensive, another left-hander, Sean Manaea, may be a more appealing target for the Cubs. And the Cubs will most likely be looking at free agents to bolster their bullpen.
One area the Cubs will definitely look to upgrade is catcher. Unfortunately for them, the market for free agent catchers is underwhelming. Danny Jensen and Travis d’Arnaud are perhaps the top options.
Jansen is coming off a terrible year while d’Arnaud hit 15 home runs and an OPS of.739. He also graded out well defensively. Another key stat for d’Arnaud is 36. That’s his age, For Cubs’ fans, there might be a fear of Yan Gomes 2.0.
Beyond a starter or relief pitcher, don’t expect the Cubs to dive too deep into the free agent pool.
