Chicago Cubs: 3 trades with Oakland Athletics to blow it up

The Chicago Cubs could trade Javier Baez to the Oakland Athletics

Lastly, the Cubs might be faced with a decision to trade either Bryant or shortstop Javier Baez. It seems pretty unlikely that they would deal both of them before the deadline, but one of them could end up being traded. Baez has been a defensive stud over his tenure with the Cubs and more unpredictable at the plate, but he’s one of the cornerstones of this team and is in the midst of potentially a career year.

Baez is currently and quietly on pace for 42 home runs and 112 RBI this season while still getting it done in the infield. Oakland’s current shortstop, Elvis Andrus, is in his first season with the team and has offered the Athletics almost nothing offensively. Adding Baez would be an enormous boost for a postseason run.

The price for Baez, in this deal, is a fairly costly one. Oakland’s no. 3 prospect, Nick Allen, would get sent over to Chicago. Currently, Allen is on a tear in Double-A ball and was named to the U.S. Olympic Team this year. He would be a great get for the Cubs if they were looking to find a logical replacement for Javy.

In addition, the Cubs would get Oakland’s no. 7 prospect in outfielder Luis Barrera. A couple of months ago, Barrera was called up for the first time and was active for a few games, notching his first MLB hit.

The 25-year-old is a great defensive presence and also possesses a consistent left-handed bat. Chicago would be getting a couple of solid prospects in this trade.