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Chicago Cubs rumors: Yu Darvish on the Cubs’ radar

By Dan Schmelzer

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 28: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field on June 28, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 28: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field on June 28, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /
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According to a recent report, the Chicago Cubs are interested in trading for Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish. Theo Epstein and company have already checked on his availability.

After coming out of the second half hot, the Chicago Cubs are expected to be relatively aggressive ahead of the July 31st MLB trade deadline. They have already made a big splash, acquiring starting pitcher Jose Quintana from the Chicago White Sox. However, Theo Epstein and company do not appear to be finished adding to this team.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Cubs are interested in trading for Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish and have already asked the Rangers about his availability. Since he becomes a free agent after this season, Darvish is just a half-season rental, but he would undoubtedly be an interesting player to add to the mix.

Morosi notes that the Cubs trading for Darvish is much more possible now than it was just a short time ago. The Cubs have raced out to a 6-0 start in the second half and now only trail the Milwaukee Brewers by one game for first place in the National League Central. The Rangers, on the other hand, have lost five consecutive games.

The Houston Astros have run away with the Rangers’ division and they have to jump six teams to be in a position for a Wild Card. The Rangers becoming sellers at the deadline is becoming more and more likely and Darvish would be an obvious selling piece.

A look at Darvish

Darvish has pitched well for the Rangers this season, posting a 3.45 ERA and 3.73 FIP, according to FanGraphs. He also has a strong 25.6% strikeout rate and a reasonable 8.2% walk rate. Simply put, Darvish is back to being an ace-level pitcher for the Rangers.

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The Rangers’ right-hander has dealt with a lot of injuries the past couple of season. He missed all of 2015 with a torn UCL that required Tommy John surgery. He also only made 17 starts last season while dealing with multiple injury issues.

Darvish was once one of the most talented pitchers in the game and has seemed to get his career back on track this season. However, the injuries are a concern. If the Cubs, or any other team for that matter, swing a trade for Darvish, they will be expecting him to be a major contributor for the team down the stretch.

What is the asking price?

If the Rangers truly make Darvish available, it will be interesting to see how his market develops. Darvish is great, but I do not see the Cubs trading someone like Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ or Addison Russell for any sort of rental. However, if many teams get involved, do the Cubs have the prospect talent to outbid other suitors?

The Chicago Cubs sent their top two prospects (Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease) to the White Sox in the Quintana trade. While that was a great move by the Cubs, it has left their top-end talent in the minor leagues pretty dry.

If they can interest Texas in a package involving guys like Jeimer Candelario and Mark Zagunis, there may be a match here. I also wonder whether Albert Almora is a possible trade chip for the Cubs in the right deal. Is a trade for Darvish the right deal to give up Almora? Who is to say for sure.

If the Cubs do get the Rangers to bite on a trade for Darvish, it would be extremely interesting to see how their starting rotation shakes out. With Darvish and Quintana added to the mix and Kyle Hendricks coming back from injury, the Chicago Cubs would have an extremely full rotation.

How would he fit?

A rotation of Jon Lester, Quintana, Darvish, Hendricks and Jake Arrieta is as good as it gets. This would also likely mean a DFA for veteran John Lackey and a trip back to the bullpen for Mike Montgomery.

Acquiring another starting pitcher the caliber of Darvish would also be interesting for Arrieta. If the Cubs make the postseason, they only need four starting pitchers. Lester, Quintana, Darvish and Hendricks would be locked in, leaving Arrieta on the outside looking in.

However, I think Arrieta could be a major weapon as a short-inning reliever. Just think of his incredible stuff being maxed out for a short stint. If a trade like this happens, Arrieta could end up being more valuable as a postseason bullpen arm for the Cubs than he would be in the rotation.

Next: Remaining trade targets for the Cubs

Landing Darvish is not going to be cheap or easy. I wonder how realistic this deal is, but it certainly makes sense for the Cubs to at least show interest. As long as the price is reasonable, I would love to see the Chicago Cubs make a deal for Yu Darvish. They appear to be all in for 2017 and Darvish undoubtedly gives them a better chance to win than what they currently have.

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