Cubs Rumors: Snell-Montgomery mystery team, Pete Alonso trade idea, Justin Steele extension

MLB Rumors: Can the Cubs be a mystery team in the Snell-Montgomery sweepstakes?

It's anyone's best guess as to where Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery end up at this point. It's insane that we're still discussing this on March 7, but here we are.

At this point, it's hard to even know which teams are interested in signing either of these two pitchers. Teams like the Red Sox, Angels, and Giants desperately need pitching, but they seem hellbent on not spending on either of these two arms. The Yankees have been tied to Snell, but nothing has gained traction there. Jordan Montgomery wants to return to Texas, but a lack of a long-term TV deal has made it so the Rangers are unwilling to give him a long-term deal.

With nobody knowing where either of these arms will go, can the Cubs possibly jump into the mix? We know Cody Bellinger joked about Montgomery at his introductory press conference.

The Cubs can compete in the NL Central with their roster as is, but the Central is the worst division in the NL. For the Cubs to have any sort of chance against teams like the Braves, Dodgers, Phillies, and Diamondbacks they're going to have to add another frontline starter to pair with Justin Steele as the rest of the rotation looks average at best.

There's a very good chance that Snell and Montgomery will have to settle for the same kind of deal Bellinger and Matt Chapman signed, the three-year deal with opt-outs. There's no reason for Chicago to not be all over a deal like that. Even if it ages poorly, they can get out of it in three years, not ruining their long-term future. If it pans out, the Cubs can potentially make some noise in the NL.