MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates catches a ball hit by Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the sixth inning at PNC Park on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 30: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on June 30, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Gerrit Cole

Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and the young hitters have grabbed the most attention for the Cubs the past two years, but there is no curse-breaking World Series win without a handful of starting pitchers having career years. There are no career years to be found in the Cubs rotation this year, and it has the champs looking up at first place in the NL Central. They had the division wrapped up by this point last year.

The Cubs can no longer count on John Lackey every fifth day. Jake Arrieta looks like Orioles Jake Arrieta. Kyle Hendricks is hurt and will not be back until after the break. Jon Lester has been solid, but is pitching more like a number-three starter than an ace like he did last year.

If the Pittsburgh Pirates are willing to trade within the division, they will find a treasure trove of prospects to pick from in the Cubs system. Theo Epstein is a master of identifying talent, but also knows when to use it for trade purposes.

Gerrit Cole could become the ace the Cubs need this year. Take away two or three bad starts this year, and his numbers match up well with what he was doing in 2015 when he made his first All-Star team. There are questions about Cole’s durability, but he has ace potential and will not be a free agent until 2020. If the Cubs are serious about maximizing their World Series chances for the next five years, they will have to make a big trade for another starting pitcher.

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