The Chicago Cubs could be looking for reinforcements in the bullpen. The San Diego Padres are off to a hot start but could be willing to move one of their relievers to add some prospects.
The Padres started the season with Yu Darvish on the injured list. He is expected to return, but that does not mean the team could not use some depth in the pitching staff. AthlonSports’ Andrew Wright proposed this trade that would send Jeremiah Estrada to the Cubs for Jordan Wicks and prospects:
- Cubs receive: right-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks
- Padres receive: left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks, right-handed pitcher Jack Neely and outfielder Christian Franklin
“Estrada made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2022 and appeared in just 17 games across two seasons with Chicago,” wrote Wright. “2024 was his breakout season, as he made 62 appearances for the Padres and finished with a 2.95 ERA. He became extremely reliable out of the bullpen for San Diego, and the Chicago front office may very well feel like he’s a player that they would love to have back.”
Estrada will not be a free agent until 2030, and it will take a decent package to land him. The Cubs would be sending two top 30 prospects along with Wicks in this proposal.
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“The return of Wicks, Neely and Franklin would give the Padres a promising young relief pitcher as well as a young outfielder with a huge upside,” wrote Wright. “Wicks would be a throw in and could be inserted into the bullpen as a long reliever/swingman type of pitcher that could pitch valuable innings out of the bullpen.”
Wicks has shown ability as a starter as well and could be valuable if the Padres end up trading Dylan Cease or Micahel King during the season.
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