Chicago Cubs: Jarrod Dyson trade would be a bad deal

Rumors are swirling about what the Chicago Cubs might do to improve their team at the trade deadline. A move for Diamondbacks’ Dyson would be a bad idea.

The MLB trade deadline is just over a week away and the Chicago Cubs will have to determine what move will make their team better for another deep postseason run. Rumors have been bouncing off the walls with the Cubs linked to several outfielders. Names like David Peralta, Nick Castellanos, and Alex Gordon have surfaced as being potential trade acquisitions for the north siders.

Most recently, the Castellanos rumors have picked up some steam but one name that has been getting some attention is a trade for Diamondbacks’ speedy outfielder, Jarrod Dyson. The 34-year old was extremely valuable for the Kansas City Royals when they appeared in back to back World Series in 2014 and 2015.

He slashed 0.269/0.324/0.327 with 1 home run, 24 RBI’s, and 36 stolen bases in 2014 (84 wRC+). The thought is that he would platoon centerfield with Albert Almora and give the Cubs another left-handed bat. However, a deal for Dyson would be a bad idea because it would do little to upgrade the roster.

Dyson is in the final year of a 2-year deal worth $7.5 million with the team and would not cost much as a rental, but the Cubs would still have to give up something to get him. To me, it’s not worth giving up another prospect for a guy who had a 47 wRC+ last year and is currently at an 86 wRC+ this season.

Sure, he’ll steal some bases but his game reminds me a lot of Billy Hamilton. The Diamondbacks are also at the 0.500 mark and could wait until the July 31st deadline before deciding to sell off, which would impact the Cubs if they feel Dyson is their guy.

To me, someone like Castellanos or Gordon makes a lot more sense to improve this roster. Castellanos has a career 137 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers (103 wRC+ against righties) and hits a ton of doubles and triples in his home ballpark. Comerica is one of the largest parks in the major leagues and many of those balls would be deposited into the Wrigley Field bleachers.

He’s in the final year of his contract as well with the Tigers, so Alex Gordon might be an option if the Cubs prefer to retain their acquisition beyond this season without them hitting free agency. Gordon has a $23 million mutual option for 2020, so nobody is saying it would be cheap but at least they would have the choice. He has a career 96 wRC+ against lefties and 108 wRC+ against righties.

Castellanos is the youngest of the four guys listed, but he would cost the most in terms of prospects the Cubs would have to give up. It will be interesting to see what Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer decide to do before the July 31 deadline.