MLB Trade Rumors: 5 trades Chicago Cubs should make

MLB Trade Rumors surrounding the Cubs and Yankees have been surfacing for a while now. The Cubs have an obvious need in the bullpen and the Yankees have many impact arms in the back of their bullpen who they could consider trading.

The Cubs would rather have the dominant Andrew Miller and his two years of team control after 2016, but they are not giving up Kyle Schwarber in any trade like the Yankees appear to be insisting for Miller.

The Yankees are right in the Wild Card mix at 41-42, but if they are being honest with themselves, they are not a legitimate championship contender. They may not end up being sellers, but they would be wise to at least listen on upcoming free agent closer Aroldis Chapman.

Chapman has not been as dominant as usual this season, positing a 2.86 ERA in 24 appearances. That being said, he has converted 16-of-17 save opportunities with the Yankees, and his 1.90 FIP suggests that he has just run in to a little bit of bad luck.

Chapman is still arguably the best relief pitcher in baseball and would undoubtedly be a major weapon for the Cubs at the back of the bullpen. Chapman would likely insist on being the Cubs’ closer, but him, current Cubs’ closer Hector Rondon and set-up man Pedro Strop would make for a nasty back of the bullpen no matter the order.

In exchange, the Yankees would land the Cubs’ 2015 first-round pick (9th overall) and third-ranked prospect by MLB.com, Ian Happ who has been great in his limited time at Double-A this season.

They would also add Jeimer Candelario who is ranked as the Cubs’ seventh-best prospect on the same list. Candelario is a sweet-swinging third baseman who has recently reached the majors due to the Cubs’ ample offensive injuries. He could be a legitimate starting third-baseman for the Yankees sooner rather than later.

A high price to give up for a rental, but Chapman would be an absolute game-changer for the Cubs.

Next: 3. Arizona Diamondbacks