The Chicago Cubs were interested in Miami Marlins starter Jesús Luzardo but the Philadelphia Phillies were able to land him instead. The Cubs could pivot to a different starter with Luzardo off the board.
The Cubs had discussions with the Marlins for Luzardo, but obviously, nothing came to fruition. However, with the starting rotation still a focal point, FanSided’s Mark Powell proposed this trade with the Minnesota Twins that brings Pablo López to Chicago:
- Cubs receive: right-handed pitcher Pablo López
- Twins receive: outfielder Kevin Alcantara and right-handed pitcher Jaxon Wiggins
“Alcantara is a top-100 prospect who could start in the big leagues on Opening Day for Minnesota. Wiggins is the Cubs No. 9 prospect – and they have a strong system, mind you – who could make his way through the Twins system rather quickly. At 23 years old, Wiggins is Chicago’s second-best pitching prospect and only needs reps,” wrote Powell. “This may seem like an overpay for the Cubs, but much like the free-agent market, starting pitching is expensive. It’s time to pay up, Jed Hoyer.”
López signed a four-year, $73 million deal with the Twins in 2023. The return of Alcantara and Wiggins may be too much for the Twins to turn down, while also dumping López’s contract to the Cubs.
López would be a great addition to a rotation that already includes Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele. López has made 32 starts in each of the last three seasons. He had a 4.08 ERA last season and 198 strikeouts. In 2023 he had 234 strikeouts and a 3.67 ERA. A top three of Imanaga, Steele and López could propel the Cubs to the top of the National League Central.
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