The Chicago Cubs have been relatively quiet most of the offseason, though they have added a few fringe pieces in Matthew Boyd and Eli Morgan and also traded for Kyle Tucker.
They won 83 games in 2024, but with the National League Central wide open, they might be wise to make another move and establish themselves as the favorites to win their first division title since 2020.
The Cubs can accomplish this via trade or free agency. Zachary D. Rymer even proposed the idea of Chicago reuniting with right-hander Marcus Stroman in a trade with the New York Yankees.
This potential deal would send Nico Hoerner to the Bronx. Oswaldo Cabrera and Yankees No. 3 prospect Roderick Arias would be headed to Chicago along with Stroman.
“This is, admittedly, a reach from the Cubs’ perspective. They’re not hurting for prospects, and going from Hoerner to Cabrera on the infield would be a downgrade,” Rymer wrote.
“On the plus side, adding Stroman next to Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd would give them a heck of a starting five. A group like that could win the NL Central title that has eluded the Cubs since the shortened 2020 season.”
Stroman went 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA in 29 starts and one relief appearance with the Bronx Bombers in 2024. He had signed a two-year deal with New York prior to the season.
The veteran right-hander’s best season with the Cubs came in 2022, when he went 6-7 with a 3.50 ERA in 25 starts. The Cubs could certainly use another starter, and if they don’t land Roki Sasaki, this could be a solid backup plan.
It may be a stretch, but we’ll see if the Cubs can pull something like this off.
More MLB: Yankees 3-player trade idea would bring $24 million starter to NY for Marcus Stroman
