Cubs: Could Chicago really trade Yu Darvish?

The Chicago Cubs might be heading towards a rebuild, and flipping Yu Darvish could be their best chance at acquiring prospects.

The Chicago Cubs have entered an offseason of complete uncertainty. President of baseball operations Theo Epstein stepped down from his position and was replaced by general manager Jed Hoyer. Additionally, they let veteran pitcher Jon Lester depart for free agency, while also non-tendering previous untouchable prospect Kyle Schwarber.

Perhaps the biggest decision the Cubs have to make is how to sign any combination of Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com gave the Cubs an idea that could do wonders for them — trade starting pitcher Yu Darvish. And we think that’s a great strategy for the Cubbies to pursue.

Cubs will never get a bigger return for Darvish than right now

Harrigan mentions that if the Cubs opt to shop Bryant, Baez or Rizzo to another team, they won’t receive enticing offers. The reasoning is that teams aren’t crazy about giving up the farm for a one-year rental, and all three players are set to hit free agency next year. That’s where Darvish enters the fray.

The MLB.com writer also brings up that Darvish, who signed with the Cubs back in 2018, has three years remaining on his current deal and is owed $59 million in that span, which is relatively cheap for an ace pitcher. You all know that MLB clubs like players under team control. It also helps that Darvish is coming off the best season of his career.

In 12 games, the veteran right-hander recorded a 2.01 ERA and 0.961 WHIP, while striking out 93 batters in 76.1 innings pitched. Additionally, Darvish led all pitchers in wins (eight) and Fielding Independent Pitching (2.23), which measures a pitcher’s effectiveness of preventing home runs, walks and hit by pitches and causing strikeouts.

When you look at the open market currently, the biggest name is Trevor Bauer, who happened to defeat Darvish for the NL Cy Young award. Let’s face it, the Cubs are not in any position to sign him. After Bauer, there’s a drop-off in talent. To entice the Cubs further, the pitcher’s market next year is even weaker, filled with aging veterans like Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke. If teams want a top-tier pitcher for this upcoming campaign, then they’d have to look on the trading block.

The Texas Rangers just flipped No. 1 pitcher Lance Lynn to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for top pitching prospect Dane Dunning and left-hander Avery Weems. Teams are so desperate for top of the rotation arms, that they’ll surrender one (or more) of their elite prospects. The White Sox did so, and that’s with Lynn having one-year remaining on his current deal! Imagine what the Cubs could get for Darvish.

The time is now for the Cubs to rebuild, because the rest of the NL Central is expected to do next to nothing this Hot Stove season. They can flip Darvish in exchange for prospects to replenish the pipeline, while getting his contract off their hands. That, in turn, can allow the team to keep one (or more) of Baez, Rizzo and Bryant. Darvish’s value will never get higher, and the Cubs need to capitalize on it immediately.