Okay, maybe not too serious, but still a consideration of trading for almost-MLB-ready prospects. What I mean by that is trading for prospects that have debuted or are close to making their MLB debut. This means prospects that are Triple A or beyond. The Cubs have their share of prospects that are ready to make the big leagues soon (Brennen Davis, Nelson Velazquez, Brailyn Marquez etc), but it would certainly help to have more, and more variety.
1. Trade for RHP Logan Gilbert
This entered my head when I was perusing the Mariners' top prospects, and I set this out as a possible trade:
If the Cubs traded Nick Madrigal, who should they get in return? Possible trade scenario: Madrigal to Mariners for RHP Logan Gilbert (No.4 Mariners Prospect). https://t.co/zd0DfTFkzr pic.twitter.com/TGXlFX5gBC
— Cubbies Gazette (@cubbies_gazette) November 20, 2021
Would the Mariners be willing to trade one of their top prospects (who has already debuted for the Mariners) for a player like Madrigal? Frankly, I think they might be willing. But since I'm not the Cubs or Mariners, I'm only going to consider the player and why he'd be good for the Cubs.
Average fastball velocity: 95.4 MPH. 128 K in 119 IP. Ready to pitch in the Cubs' rotation. Sounds good to me! Yes, he struggled a little bit with the Mariners, posting a 4.68 ERA, but that doesn't concern me to much, seeing this was his first year in the MLB, and seeing his great minor league stats. He has posted a 2.00 ERA in his whole minor league career, so that's stats that makes me excited.
I love this dudes' ability to just dominate. It really just needs to transition to the MLB level. Then, I can easily see him becoming a great pitcher (for maybe the Cubs?).
But even if the Cubs don't even consider trading for him, this should be the type of pitcher they should trade for. A young pitcher who is ready to play at an MLB level, has great velocity, has strikeout stuff, and is on a team that is willing to get a Cubs player in return.
2. Trade for OF Josh Lowe
The Ray's No.4 prospect did make his MLB debut in 2021, and in 1 AB he had 1 H and 1 SB. Obviously that doesn't mean a whole lot, but he's ready to start going at a big league level here soon. In minor leagues in 2021 he hit .291/.381/.535 with 22 HR and 142 wRC in 402 AB. That's pretty good for a guy that's 23 and was playing Low A in 2017. He's a lefty outfield power bat that has speed and good strikeout and walk rates.
I'm trying to go for a variety in prospects, and this outfielder is a sure tantalizing option. He still has two minor league options, which it would be highly probable that he would start the year at Triple A. Sure, Brennen Davis is already in the outfield, but Lowe played RF as well as CF in 2021, so I could see him in RF and Davis in CF. Of course, I'm thinking ahead, but it still is neat to think about the futures of these young prospects.
Now the question: would the Rays want to get rid of Lowe? Again, it's hard to say for sure, but it would also depend on who the Cubs are trading to them. Perhaps the Cubs want to get rid of one of their young starters (Alzolay, Steele, Thompson)? I could Thompson being tantalizing to the Rays, so how about a Thompson for Lowe trade?
While it sounds good on paper, these are merely my ideas, and not actually official rumors. There are other factors to consider in these trades, but again, this type of player Lowe is (lefty outfield power-bat), is the kind I want to see the Cubs get.
3. Trade for INF Jose Miranda
This dude is a really "bit of everything" kind of player. He is the Twins' No.8 prospect, and while he has not yet made his MLB debut, he is on course to do so in 2022. He batted .343/.397/.563 with a 156 wRC in 341 AB in Triple A this year. A lot of stuff to consider, but overall, an excellent player.
He is a mixture of a power-hitter and contact hitter, hitting 17 HR, but also 100 singles and doubles. He has a low 13.1% K rate, and an average 6.7% BB rate. He played 2nd, 3rd, and 1st this year, playing 3rd the most. A great spot to be if he were to be in the Cubs farm system.
Would the Twins trade him? I think they'd be interested in a veteran like Heyward or Hendricks, but I could be wrong. They might be more likely to trade one of their RHP prospects (as they almost have a surplus of them), but Miranda caught my eye and really impressed me.
These three prospects that I think the Cubs should trade for is in no way an exhaustive list. These are more prospects that caught my eye and would be great assets to have in the Cubs' farm system. These players are ready or almost ready to play full-time on a MLB level, which makes them seem even more valuable to me.
That's it for today, and y'all have a great week!
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