This Cubs-Yankees trade for Kyle Schwarber could actually work

The Cubs are selling much of their former World Series core, and Kyle Schwarber could be next.

Schwarber is a much-needed power bat for many teams, especially those in the American League. Should the designated hitter become universal in the 2021 season, then the Cubs could have even more options for a potential trade of the 27-year-old. He has just one year left on his current contract, and is expected to make $8 million next year. As Schwarber inches closer to free agency, his value will only go down towards the trade deadline.

One potential suitor for Schwarber could be the Yankees. Schwarber fits the DH slot, and can be rotated around the outfield when necessary. Positional flexibility isn’t a strength of his, but his big bat and the Yankees short porch in right field could be a match made in heaven…or in this case, the Bronx.

What would a Cubs-Yankees trade for Schwarber look like?

“Of the 94 home runs the Yankees hit last season, only 14 came from left-handed hitters. With only 318 feet to the right-field foul pole at Yankee Stadium, it’s easy to envision Schwarber fitting in perfectly and reaching his 38-home-run level from 2019,” Chicago Tribune writer Mark Gonzales wrote.

Schwarber won’t land the same sort of return he would’ve fetched last season, but there’s still plenty of promise in his bat, and the Yankees have long been infatuated with him. Here’s one potential trade:

Andujar was injured all of last season, but plays a premium position at the hot corner and has shown All-Star potential when healthy. Medina, meanwhile, is a top-15 pitching prospect in an elite farm system. He’s also only 21 years old, and nearly MLB-ready. Add in a PTBNL just for kicks, and the Yankees would have a tough time saying no.

It’s a tough ask for both teams, but the framework of a deal isn’t far off.