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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 deals the Cubs could make to reignite the fuse

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 30: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles heads to the dugout against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 30: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles heads to the dugout against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 29: Tyson Ross #38 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at PETCO Park on May 29, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 29: Tyson Ross #38 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at PETCO Park on May 29, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

2. Target Tyson Ross

As he attempted to return to the big leagues after suffering a shoulder injury, right-handed starter Tyson Ross was considering the Cubs and the Rangers. He nearly chose the Cubs, but ultimately signed with the Rangers because of the team’s proximity to his doctors. That was an important factor for a pitcher recovering from thoracic outlet surgery.

Finally fully recovered after two long seasons, Ross is back with the San Diego Padres and pitching very well. He is 5-5 with a 3.34 ERA in 15 starts and has solid peripheral numbers to support his comeback story. Ross was just 3-3 with the Rangers last year and had a 7.71 ERA in 12 appearances while allowing 1.3 home runs per nine with more walks than strikeouts.

Ross is an interesting trade candidate because he is on a one-year deal with the Padres for less than $2 million. He is a rental, but there is not much money to be moved around when and if he is traded. That, along with his strong performance, should drive up the asking price for San Diego.

The Cubs have a very strong rotation, but the health of Yu Darvish remains a looming question mark. Tyler Chatwood’s effectiveness is also in doubt, and he has walked 63 batters in 68.1 innings. That’s a potential huge liability if he begins yielding more hits to go along with his free passes. Overall, Ross looks good as a potential insurance arm in the Cubs rotation.

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