The Chicago Cubs are off to a strong start to the season, but they need reinforcements in their starting rotation. After Justin Steele’s season-ending injury, they could target a pitcher on the San Diego Padres.
Michael King broke out last season as a starter and could be a hot name near the trade deadline. He is slated to be a free agent, and if the Padres’ season starts to slip away, the Cubs could make a move for him. Newsweek’s Zach Pressnell proposed this trade that would send King to Chicago:
- Cubs receive: RHP Michael King
- Padres receive: 2B/OF James Triantos, OF Kevin Alcántara, RHP Jaxon Wiggins
“King is one of the best options on the market for the Cubs to bring in this season, but it would take quite a bit to lure him away from San Diego,” wrote Pressnell. “As of now, the Padres are one of the best teams in the league, so it might be a bit less likely that they opt to trade one of their best pitchers even if he’s on an expiring deal.”
Despite what the Padres think will happen when King hits free agency, they will not be willing to trade him if they are contenders. However, the Cubs may be willing to overpay for King if they think they can re-sign him. Steele’s injury has put Chicago’s rotation in a tough position.
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The Cubs look like they can make a run at the postseason with Kyle Tucker leading the way. However, they will have to find a way to fill the void left by Steele. Even if it takes an overpay to get King, the Cubs may pull the trigger if they think they can make a World Series run this year.
“Triantos and Alcántara are two big league-ready prospects who could step up for the Padres in the next year or two,” wrote Pressnell. “The Padres are losing a few guys to free agency next offseason, so this pair of prospects would be a huge addition for San Diego. Wiggins is a talented pitching prospect with a devastating fastball and slider combination. The righty could quickly fly up the minor leagues if he can stay in the zone with those two offerings. The Cubs would need to be willing to part ways with a few of these top prospects to land a pitcher like King, but it’s a trade worth investing in for Chicago.”
Spotrac projects King to sign a four-year, $71 million deal in the offseason. Last season, he had a 2.95 ERA in 30 starts and finished seventh in the National League Cy Young Award voting. The Cubs can afford to pay him, and the Padres may have accepted that they cannot. However, ultimately, the Padres’ place in the standings near the trade deadline will dictate what happens with King.
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