Cubs: Brandon Nimmo would be an ideal trade target

The Mets are reportedly willing to move Brandon Nimmo and the Chicago Cubs could land their leadoff hitter and centerfielder of the future.

This offseason has been incredibly frustrating for the Chicago Cubs, hindered by payroll and a broken roster that has too high of an asking price to move anyone. A trade to acquire talent remains more likely than a free agent signing, and the team could potentially be a suitor for the services of Brandon Nimmo. The 26-year-old New York Mets’ outfielder is reportedly being made available, and his value may never be lower.

Nimmo missed roughly half of the 2019 season with a bulging disc in his neck but posted an impressive September with a .261/.430/.565 line with 5 home runs and 15 RBI when healthy. His proven track record indicates his ability to hit for average with a disciplined plate approach. He also plays elite defense in the outfield, recording a .995 fielding percentage in four seasons at the centerfield position.

It’s not new information that the Cubs have lacked a true centerfielder who also bats from the leadoff position since Dexter Fowler left after the 2016 season. Albert Almora looked like the closest thing in both 2017 and 2018 but fell off a cliff last season. Both he and Ian Happ remain substantial question marks going into next season, as Happ spent the better half in Triple-A.

A trade for Nimmo would potentially keep him in a Cubs uniform through the 2022 season and at a modest price, as he’s projected to make just $1.7 million in arbitration. Given his injury last season and the Mets’ willingness to move him, Nimmo could come at a relatively inexpensive price. Noah Syndergaard is under contract through the 2021 season, and it doesn’t appear that the Mets will be competitive at that point, so the two could potentially part ways.

Once top-heavy with pitching prospects, the Mets top prospects ranked within MLB’s Top 100 prospects now all consist of position players. Justin Steele would be a good fit in the Mets rotation two years from now, and the deal would likely get done straight up. The 24-year-old southpaw returned from a torn oblique last season and posted decent numbers. It’s going to take him some time to get back to form, but there’s a lot to like about his 2.31 ERA across three levels of the minors before the injury.