MLB Trade Rumors: Cubs offer Kyle Schwarber to Tigers

If the Chicago Cubs make a move for a starting pitcher, Kyle Schwarber looks like an obvious trade chip.

The prospect of back-to-back World Series titles looks far away for the Chicago Cubs. A 43-45 record has them 5.5 games out of first in the NL Central at the All-Star break, and they’re even further back (7.5 games) in the Wild Card standings, There are disappointing performances all around, but the starting rotation has been particularly down thus far.

Kyle Schwarber was so bad early this year that he was sent down to Triple-A. But he hit .343 with 1.191 OPS over 11 games there, and upon being recalled last week he headed into the All-Star break with a three-game hitting streak.

The Cubs have had seven pitchers start at least five games for them this season, but just one is under 27 years old as Theo Epstein and company have used free agency to add to the starting rotation. Adding a younger starter could be a particular focus leading up to the trade deadline, and former MLB general manager Jim Bowden has added some teeth to the idea.

Bowden suggested the Cubs have focused on Detroit Tigers starters Michael Fulmer and Daniel Norris, as opposed to the older and more expensive Justin Verlander. Peter Gammons first reported that interest in Fulmer and Norris on Sunday, and it makes sense. Fulmer earned an All-Star nod with a 3.19 ERA, after winning AL Rookie of the Year last year, and he is under team control through 2022. Norris has a 5.29 ERA this year and is currently on the disabled list with a groin issue, but he’s left-handed, strikes out a fair amount of batters (8.4 K/9 this year) and is under team control through 2021.

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Schwarber seems like an American League DH type of player. He injured his knee early in 2016 while awkwardly playing left field, and the Cubs are not willing to put him back in the mix at catcher after his torn ACL. If he’s not hitting, as he wasn’t prior to his demotion, his value is non-existent. If he hits a hot streak coming out of the break, Schwarber looks like a sell-high piece for the Cubs.