Making the case for and against the Cubs trading each of their young stars

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 14: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs is congratulated by Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs following his two run home run during the fourth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on September 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 05: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 05, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Kyle Schwarber

Many around the league have long viewed Kyle Schwarber as a DH-in-waiting for the American League. The burly left fielder hasn’t exactly set the world on fire with his glove and has contributed -3.2 dWAR and -11 defensive runs saved as an outfielder in his four-year career. It’s not always pretty when Schwarber moves around in the outfield, but he has worked hard to improve to the point where he is not a complete liability.

At the plate, it’s been an up-and-down five years in the big leagues for Schwarber, with nearly all of his 2016 season wiped away due to a gruesome knee injury. The 26-year-old is a career .235/.339/.490 hitter with 110 home runs and 255 RBI. He hit .211/.315/.467 in a disastrous full-season return to action with 30 home runs and 59 RBI and was also briefly optioned to the minor leagues. He perked up to hit .238/.356/.467 with 26 home runs and 61 RBI in 2018 and had his best full year to date in 2019, hitting .250/.339/.531 with 38 home runs and 92 RBI.

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There are arguments to be made for and against the Cubs trading Schwarber, who is showing signs of growth as a hitter. He hit .269/.348/.589 over his final 103 games of the season with 28 home runs and 71 RBI. He also hit .212/.322/.419 with 61 strikeouts in 52 games for the first two months of the year.

The Cubs believe Schwarber isn’t done growing as a hitter, but he is never going to hit for an extremely high average. His ceiling is not likely much higher than the numbers he posted this year and he is now two years away from free agency. He is the least complete player of any mentioned on this list, but still offers high value as a trade chip given his power potential.

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