Chicago Cubs: 3 potential trade packages for Mookie Betts

If the Boston Red Sox are intent on not paying Mookie Betts, Chicago Cubs rumors suggest they could be a destination, should they offer them a trade package?

Buster Olney said on his podcast last Thursday that the Chicago Cubs would make the most sense to trade for Red Sox superstar Mookie Betts. Let’s back up first.

Buster Olney and Karl Ravech were discussing the Red Sox lackluster start to the season and potentially selling to restock their depleted farm system, which ranked 30th at the start of the season (via BleacherReport).

"“If we don’t start playing better, J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts, maybe myself, we could get traded,” he said. “We’re, what, 30th in minor league systems?” “We’re dead last,” he said. “We don’t play better, Mookie Betts will be traded, J.D. Martinez will be traded. It will be tough for a while here.” – David Price (Boston Globe)"

Buster Olney initially said that Mookie Betts is not going to be traded, but guys like J.D. Martinez, Rick Porcello, Mitch Moreland and bullpen pieces could all be gone if this thing starts to go south. He noted that the front office has a “get out of jail free card” because they won the World Series last year, but spent well above the luxury tax to do so. That being said, he believes they would start to sell off pieces if they were “15 games out” come June.

Karl Ravech stated that Mookie Betts would definitely be on the trade block to help replenish their farm system, noting Betts already has some reluctance to re-sign with the Red Sox. Olney entertained the idea of trading Betts and pegged the Cubs as making the most sense to trade for his services.

"Their window is getting closer to finishing. You get the feeling there’s a restlessness in that organization to sort of turnover some of the position player group there, to build a sense of urgency. – Olney"

Ok, a lot to unpack here. Mookie Betts is a mega-superstar who won the American League’s Most Valuable Player last season slashing 0.346/0.438/0.640 while smacking 32 home runs and 80 runs-batted-in. He also had 30 stolen bases and took 81 base-on-balls.

Betts, 26, is a set to become a free agent after the 2020 season and Olney noted the Red Sox would only trade him if they knew the pieces they were getting in return would have them competing again for a World Series next year.

So let’s say the Cubs are interested in making a trade for Betts. What trade packages would get it done? I have three that could work.