Fansided

5 trades Chicago Cubs should be thinking about making

By Ryan Morik

Mandatory Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images /
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CLEARWATER, FL – FEBRUARY 24: Alex Cobb #17 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers during a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field on February 24, 2020 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

2. Trade for Alex Cobb

Enough talk about the Cubs rebuilding. They’ve made the postseason in four of the last five seasons. They have arguably the most talented infield in baseball, with three future Hall of Famers. Their closer will be in the Hall of Fame after a dominant decade. They have a talented roster who will once again compete for a division title. Remember, they still won 84 games last year. Even though the rest of the National League Central has gotten better, the Cubs are still up there.

Alex Cobb has had his fair share of injuries. Of course, he notoriously took a line drive to the head in 2013. The Rays traded him after the 2017 season to the Baltimore Orioles, and after signing a four-year extension with them, he had made just 31 appearances, including only there last year. But with their lack of rotation depth, and their search of a fifth starter, Cobb could be that guy for them. Even if that spot goes to Tyler Chatwood, who moved full time into the bullpen last year, he is on his way out after this season. Cobb would be a better replacement who still have two more years left on his deal.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 25: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 25, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 25: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 25, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. Reunite with Jake Arrieta

Arrieta’s best days are behind him. He had a three-year stretch where he was one of baseball’s best arms. He tossed two no-hitters, won a Cy Young Award, finished in ninth place for the award twice more, and even came in sixth place in the National League MVP Award voting in 2015, his Cy Young Award season. In his 128 starts with the Cubs, he posted a 2.73 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP.

The Phillies have options on Arrieta in both 2021 and 2022. Arrieta will obviously opt into both seasons if he performs the way he did in 2019 – a 4.64 ERA, his worst since 2013, and 24 starts, also his lowest since that year.

But a homecoming is always appreciated. Right now, Arrieta is the second or third best starter on the Phillies, and that’s when everyone in that rotation is at his best. If each Cubs starter throws to his potential, Arrieta might be their fourth or fifth best arm in the rotation. A layer of pressure would be taken off the 34-year old, all while being back at the park where he had his best days as a pitcher. It’s doubtful the Phillies would trade him when their own rotation depth is suspect, but the Cubs could at least make a call for a former hero.

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