Chicago Cubs trade rumors: 1 trade to make, 1 trade to avoid

Trading for Max Scherzer will deplete an already thin Cubs farm system

As long as the Washington Nationals continue to struggle, Max Scherzer will be the hottest commodity potentially on the trading block. The future National Baseball Hall of Famer will be a free agent this winter. While he could look to return to the nation’s capital on a new contract, it would serve Washington to trade him to a contender to see if it can rebuild its farm system.

This is precisely why the Cubs should not swallow the bait and trade for Scherzer. Dealing for Scherzer will be a rental and nothing more for the Cubs. This is an organization that would have sold off star players like Javy Baez, Kris Bryant or even Anthony Rizzo if they stunk in the first half. A rebuild is inevitably coming to the North Side and trading away top prospects is a terrible idea.

For two months and a postseason run out of Scherzer, expect the Cubs to give up most of their top prospects in exchange. It would give the Nationals the boost they need to get back to playing competitive ball as early as 2022. Plus, if Scherzer re-signs with Washington in free agency, which is in play, the Cubs will have sold out their future for the sake of being overzealous in the present.

Overall, the Cubs have the talent to compete for the NL Central crown all summer long, as well as either Wild Card spot if the top-three teams in the NL West cool off. What is important is the Cubs have to make business-savvy moves with the trade deadline rapidly approaching to best improve this ballclub without mortgaging away its future. Therefore, expect a Bundy trade over a Scherzer one.

With the right methodical trade or two, the Cubs can keep the ball rolling and win the NL pennant.