Why Chicago Cubs should trade Kyle Schwarber

The Chicago Cubs would be wise to sell high on Kyle Schwarber as they eye making a run at Bryce Harper in 2018.

On December 9, 2017, the Miami Marlins traded Giancarlo Stanton to the New York Yankees for former Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro and a couple of mid-level prospects. In doing so, the Yankees acquired one of the best power hitters in the game. However, they also likely removed themselves from the bonanza that is sure to be the Bryce Harper Sweepstakes this offseason.

The Cubs and Yankees were long thought to be the two most likely landing spots for Harper, the jewel of the 2018 free agent class. With the Yankees likely out of the picture, one would assume that Chicago is now the leader in the clubhouse.

Throw in his relationship with Kris Bryant and a cryptic Instagram post, and it would be a bit of a surprise if Harper isn’t roaming the Friendly Confines in 2019.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BV3jrqLhUsI/?taken-by=bharper3407

However, if the Chicago Cubs add Harper, they will have a bit of a logjam at the corner outfield positions.

Ian Happ is a budding young star and figures to be a part of the Cubs’ long-term plans.  In just 115 games, Happ hit 24 home runs and knocked in 68 RBI.  While Happ might be just an average defender, as evidenced by his 0.0 dWAR, the Cubs need to find a way to work the converted second baseman’s bat into the lineup. The Cubs are stacked at the middle-infield position, so Happ projects as a corner outfielder for the team.

Of course, every Cubs fan reading this is thinking the same thing: why not trade Jason Heyward?

In a perfect world, the Chicago Cubs would love to free themselves from his albatross of a contract. While still a defensive stud, Heyward has struggled mightily at the plate in his first two seasons in Chicago. He is batting a paltry .243 with 18 home runs and 108 RBI in this two seasons with the Cubs.

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However, he is only two years into an eight-year, $184,000,000 deal.  Teams are unlikely to trade for Heyward unless the Cubs eat a substantial portion of his contract.  Unfortunately for them, they will need just about every last dollar to for Harper’s potentially record-setting new deal.

The best trade option for Chicago Cubs?

This brings us to Kyle Schwarber, who has worked tirelessly this offseason to get into the best shape of his young career.

After tearing his left ACL and LCL at the start of the 2016 season, shedding 20 pounds no doubt has eased the stress on his knee.  However, the reality is Kyle is unlikely to ever be a fleet-of-foot defensive outfielder.

A logical destination for a power-hitting goliath with defensive limitations is typically first base. Unfortunately for him, the Cubs already have that player at first base in Anthony Rizzo.  Therefore, even with his dramatic weight loss, Schwarbs still appears destined for a long, successful career as DH.

As a result, it would be prudent for the Chicago Cubs to keep an open mind on dealing Schwarber. They have the luxury of evaluating where they stand at the All-Star break or waiting until the offseason to trade him.  However, Schwarber could be the missing piece for a team looking to add a power bat for the stretch run.

https://twitter.com/TorresGleyber/status/920686972523474944

Ironically, one of those teams could be the aforementioned Yankees, who had a significant interest in Schwarber last year.

The Chicago Cubs had their eyes on Aroldis Chapman but refused to include Schwarber as part of the deal.  Instead, they sent Gleyber Torres, who was tearing up AAA pitching before Tommy John surgery ended his season, to New York.

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Although we’ll never know for sure, one might wonder if Theo secretly wishes he had a “do-over” on that deal. What if somehow they sought to get Torres back by dealing Schwarber?

While he will not get that opportunity, Epstein may have a chance to dip into the Yankees’ or another team’s loaded farm system this year.  If he does, we will probably look back at the Giancarlo Stanton deal as the event that set it all into motion.