The Winter Meetings are official underway in our nation’s capital and teams are scurrying around talking to free agents trying to convince players to sign with their teams. But this year we are seeing more and more general managers going the trade route.
That includes the Theo Epstein and the Chicago Cubs. Without their being many top free agents in this years’ class, Epstein and the rest of the Cubs front office are focusing on the trade market. Reports came out yesterday that the Cubs are not interested in former closer Aroldis Chapman, who is seeking a six-year deal worth around $100 million. That price tag clearly is too high for the Cubs so there attention turns to another closer who is on the trade block.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported Monday afternoon that the Cubs are one of the most serious pursuers of Kansas City Royals closer Wade Davis. The Royals are in a binding situation with seven of their top players set to hit free agency after the 2017 season. Being a small market team who’s motto is to win from within and not break the bank in free agency, it is hard to see Kansas City being able to keep all their free agents next year. So the two most likely to go are Davis and center fielder Lorenzo Cain.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers and Cubs are among the most serious suitors for Davis. Chicago, however, seems primed to make a deal with the Royals. Having their position players already set, the Cubs have players who should interested the Royals.
Outfielders Jorge Soler or Albert Almora are two names to keep an eye out in any potential deal. With the Royals also looking to trade their star center fielder, getting a starting outfielder in return for Davis would be a wise move. Soler appears to be the most likely Cub to be traded this offseason. TR Sullivan of MLB.com reported Monday that the Rangers are also interested in Soler and his right-handed bat.
Soler hit .238/.333/.436 with 12 home runs and 33 runs batted in for the Cubs this past season. However, the 24-year-old has fallen out of the Cubs future plans. The 2017 Chicago outfield is all set with Almora being the fourth outfielder. Soler gives the Royals a starting outfield to replace Cain if the Royals do end up moving him. Soler, still young, has never been given the shot to fulfill his full potential and a change of scenery would be good for him.
For the Cubs, getting Davis would gives them a truly dominant closer to get them back to the World Series in 2017. Though Davis battled injuries throughout the 2016 season, he still finished with a 1.87 earned run average in 45 games. 2015 was Davis’s best season. On his way to a World Series title with the Royals, Davis pitched to a 0.94 ERA with 17 saves. If he can regain that form, the Cubs will yet again be a very dangerous team come playoff time.
This deal, if it were to get done, would work out well for both sides. Davis for Soler and one or two pitching prospects gives the Cubs their closer and the Royals a controllable outfielder and prospects for the future. It would be wise for the two to link up this week during the Winter Meetings to give both teams a fair deal that benefits both sides.
