Chicago Cubs: Three impact trades to kickstart 2019

Acquire Archie Bradley from the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Cubs have a big bullpen need.

While they could certainly use some conventional middle relievers, the addition of a “super reliever” would be a massive add to a mediocre bullpen.

That super reliever could be Archie Bradley. The Arizona Diamondbacks are seemingly entering a rebuilding phase, and could be looking to deal Bradley while his value is still high.

While Bradley, who is under team control until 2022, is coming off of an up-and-down 2018 season, his usage in high-leverage situations would be a major uplift for the Cubs bullpen.

Bradley could jump right into the Cubs closer role, but would be better suited to be in more of a utility knife role in which Joe Maddon can utilize Bradley anywhere from the 6th inning to the 9th inning.

Bradley, considering his tough 2018 season, wouldn’t cost too much, but would still cost at least one top ten prospect in the Cubs organization. Alex Lange is a realistic fit as that prospect, as the former first round pick is the Cubs third ranked prospect, and is coming off of a solid 2018 season.

Lange is on a fast track to the major leagues, but is a clear starting pitcher, a position where the Cubs have no room for an addition at least for the foreseeable future.

Additionally, outfielder Nelson Velazquez, another top 30 prospect, would be a good candidate to top off the deal. Velazquez is a young, toolsy outfielder that lacks an identity in the Cubs organization, but has a high ceiling and could rise to the top of the Diamondbacks system in a year or two.

The Cubs would easily be interested in Bradley, as well as about a dozen other forms of bullpen help. As long as the player is cheap, and presumably controllable, the Cubs will be interested. Bradley is both, and therefore the Cubs should be all over a potential deal.