Marcus Stroman Rumors: 3 monstrous trade packages to land Cubs star
By Mark Powell
The Chicago Cubs are willing to trade Marcus Stroman to the right suitor, assuming they can meet the asking price.
Starting pitching is at a premium at the 2023 MLB trade deadline. Just hours after Lucas Giolito was traded to the Angels in a package which sent back a top-100 prospect to the White Sox, it’s clear the asking price for top starting pitching is high.
As capable as Giolito is, Stroman is better at his best, and has a player option after the season. It’s possible — though unlikely — that Stroman could decline said option and stay put wherever he lands through the 2024 season and beyond. The far more likely possibility is that he opts out, thus becoming a free agent and testing the market.
However, Stroman has struggled of late. In his last two starts he’s given up a combined 11 runs in just under seven innings of work. He was pulled in the fourth inning of both outings, thus hurting his trade value while he’s at it.
Marcus Stroman Rumors: A Braves-Cubs trade package
By adding in a reliever like Fulmer, the Cubs take a page out of their southside neighbors approach. Pairing those two together ensures the Cubs receive to prospect capital. In this case, that’s A.J. Smith-Shawver, who is the Braves top prospect and a top-100 prospect in all of baseball. He’s only 20 years old, but already has MLB experience.
Shewmake, meanwhile, can slide in as a backup shortstop right away. He’s familiar enough with Dansby Swanson’s work, considering the two spent time together in Atlanta. His bat needs some work, but Shewmake is a reliable defensive replacement off the bench.
Dodd has starting experience with the Braves and impressed enough in spring training to receive a rotation slot. McCabe, meanwhile, has been raking all season long in the lower levels of the minors. He strikes out too much right now, but power is tough to teach.