Fansided

Five young prospects the Cubs could target on the trade market

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 06: Gavin Lux #48 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up prior to the start of game three of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 06: Gavin Lux #48 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up prior to the start of game three of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 04: Carter Kieboom #8 of the Washington Nationals in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 4, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 04: Carter Kieboom #8 of the Washington Nationals in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 4, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

4. Carter Kieboom

The Washington Nationals will do everything in their power to re-sign Anthony Rendon this offseason, but if he leaves there are few replacement options on the open market. The Nats will not be able to defend their World Series title if they do not have a second star to lead their lineup with Juan Soto. Losing Rendon could force them to turn to the trade market.

Washington’s World Series lineup was almost entirely homegrown, but their pipeline isn’t as full as it once was. Soto and Victor Robles are officially graduated to the big leagues and the rest of the system has to catch up. There is one premier name left in the Nationals prospect pool, shortstop Carter Kieboom.

Kieboom made his MLB debut last season at the age of 22, hitting two home runs in 11 games. He spent the entire minor-league season at Triple-A, hitting .303/.409/.493 with 24 doubles, 16 home runs and 79 RBI in 109 games. Kieboom has hit .287/.378/.469 with 45 home runs and 208 RBI in four seasons as a pro. He has a good, balanced approach at the plate and is solid enough on defense to remain at shortstop in the big leagues.

If the Cubs and Nationals strike a deal on Kris Bryant or Javy Baez, Kieboom makes sense as a potential headliner going to Chicago.

There is also an outside chance the Nationals would consider dealing Robles, who is still raw but offers tremendous upside. The 22-year-old hit .255/.326/.419 with 17 home runs, 65 RBI and 28 stolen bases in his first full MLB season. Robles has already established himself as a productive big leaguer, so the Nats might only be willing to trade him in a straight one-for-one deal.

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