3 Shohei Ohtani-less moves for the Chicago Cubs to make in offseason

Glasnow to Chicago Cubs narrative is heating up.

There is heavy speculation around the league right now that the Cubs are inching closer and closer to striking a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays for starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow. Glasnow posted a .351 ERA in 120 innings for the 2023 campaign and has one season left under contract before he becomes a free agent. The teams just need to come to terms with what they see are fair packages.

Regardless of if the Cubs can land Ohtani or not, the more pitching on the roster, the merrier we’ll all be for it. Like any trade, this is all dependent on what’s coming in and what’s going out. If Glasnow is being baited out there in Chicago’s direction, the speculation is the Rays would be looking to acquire utility guy and fan favorite Christopher Morel in the deal. But it’s also speculated that the return for the Cubs would have to increase with that addition.

It’s hard to believe the Cubs would make a one-for-one deal like this, giving up multiple years of control for seemingly a rental pitcher for just one year. And this is especially the case if they are still in on Ohtani because there would be less pressure to make that deal. It would be borderline irresponsible.