Should the Chicago Cubs Entertain Trading Away Some Top Prospects?

The Chicago Cubs have plenty of talent in their farm system and are showing that they are contenders at the MLB level this season. Should they be entertaining trading away some top prospects?

Kade Kistner | Apr 24, 2023

Should the Chicago Cubs Entertain Trading Away Some Top Prospects? /

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The Chicago Cubs are proving they are contenders during the 2023 MLB season. They have started the year 12-9 and have made some statement wins, especially against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The offense has been consistent and shown plenty of power. The starting rotation, for the most part, has held its own. And the bullpen has shown glimpses of success, but has by far been the most liable unit.

For now, the Cubs are eyeing a postseason spot and with good reason.

But with their performance, coupled with the extension of Ian Happ, the play by Seiya Suzuki and the rebirth of Cody Bellinger, the question of where some of their top prospects fit into their future plans has arose.

Chicago is deep in position prospects. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Christopher Morel (not technically a prospect, but still), Brennan Davis and Matt Mervis are all performing admirably in the minor leagues. But as of now, it's hard to see where any of these players aside from Mervis fit into the long term plans for the Cubs.

Mervis should be the everyday first baseman by next season, at the latest. Eric Hosmer is acting as a stopgap at the position and Mervis is breaking down the door.

But the other three are all natural outfielders, positions that Chicago currently has a solution for at the Major League level.

So, it begs the question: should Chicago ship these prospects off for a veteran player package in return?

It all depends on if the Cubs intend to bring back Bellinger. Let's say they do just for this exercise. Then it really makes no sense to keep these players around, especially while their stock is so high. Crow-Armstrong is a great prospect, Morel is the best offensive player in the minor leagues right now and Davis can be a difference maker when healthy.

Could a package of some combination of these players bring in a starter that could be a difference maker? Absolutely.

It is something the Cubs should entertain? Absolutely.

It'll be interesting to see how Chicago fares over the next six weeks, but if they are in a similar position as present, then they need to pull the trigger and add an impact player while dealing from excess.

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Published Apr 24, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.