MLB Power Rankings: Best trade chip on every below .500 team’s roster
By Tim Boyle
4) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs, Marcus Stroman
Marcus Stroman must be planning to opt out of his deal with the Chicago Cubs. There is no other explanation as to why he has pitched so incredibly well for them this year. He’s an early Cy Young candidate who has a chance to pad his stats even more before the trade deadline arrives.
Just like Eduardo Rodriguez, the issue here is teams might be tentative trading for a player like Stroman with an opt out after this season. The Cubs would only get the sort of haul they might for a rental. The Cubs, if they were serious about winning in the near future, would have two options. They can either re-work their deal with him and not trade him or look to get at least one near-MLB ready prospect in return. What they can’t do is let him leave for nothing.
3) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants, Alex Cobb
Fresh off of 7.2 shutout innings against the Baltimore Orioles, Alex Cobb is the best trade chip for the San Francisco Giants to offer contenders. However, they are still very much alive in the National League playoff chase. The NL West might not be something they can capture. A wild card berth is a possibility if players like Cobb continue to pitch this well.
What pushes Cobb ahead of a pitcher like Marcus Stroman is the team option for next season. A payday of only $10 million is owed to him. It looks like something the Giants or anyone else willing to trade for him this summer would be wise to add. Anyone’s guess as to where he could end up is acceptable. Why not back with the Orioles? They could use an addition to their rotation.