MLB Trade Candidates that Could Catch Cubs’ Eye This Winter

MLB TRADE CANDIDATES — Earlier today, I looked into Keith Law’s ranking of the top 50 free agents to see if we could find some power for the Chicago Cubs. And spoiler alert, there’s a lot available this offseason. But because the Cubs have a jam-packed big-league roster, as well as SIX top-100 prospects at Triple-A (and another, Cam Smith, at Double-A), a talent-consolidating trade this offseason feels about as likely as ever. Enter MLB Trade Rumors.

Yesterday Steve Adams released his list of the top 35 MLB trade candidates for the 2024-25 offseason, and I think that’s a good place to start as we explore possibilities for the Cubs. I’m not going to share the full list – you can go check it out for yourself – but I will point out the possible Cubs fits. Before that, some callouts.

MLB Trade Candidates: Immediate Cuts

Although there are 35 players listed, we can cross off 12 names right off the bat.

The Cardinals (7 players) and Brewers (2 players) are not getting together on a trade with the Cubs this offseason. It just doesn’t happen between those teams. Though, note, I’m not excluding the NL Central Pirates, because that seems to be a little more tenable overall.

Cody Bellinger is listed for Chicago, so he’s not a possible target for the Cubs.

Jorge Soler has already been traded to the Angels.

Bo Bichette is listed, though Adams concedes that a trade is unlikely.

MLB Trade Candidates: Specific Cuts

Of the remaining 23 players, I think we can pretty easily cross off another 12 just based on fit, performance, and other miscellaneous factors.

Christian Vazquez was a Cubs free agent target behind the plate before 2023 (indeed, they offered him the same contract he eventually signed with the Twins), but his offensive performance has dropped WAY off the map. I do expect the Cubs to add another catcher this offseason, but I think they’ll target someone with a little more immediate offensive upside.

Chris Paddack and Jordan Montgomery were simply bad last season. Like the catcher spot, I do think the Cubs are looking to add a starter this offseason, but these two aren’t it.

Luis Arraez is a fun name, but I can’t see the Cubs replacing Nico Hoerner with the more expensive, worse-defensive player in Arraez, even if his particular skillset is extreme and unique in this era. And that’s especially true because if Hoerner does anything well (outside of defense) it’s contact. I just don’t see the fit.

Mike Yastrezemski, Leody Taveras, Chas McCormick, Lane Thomas, Cedric Mullins – If the Cubs are going to add an outfielder to their extremely crowded outfield picture (especially if Bellinger does not opt out), that player would have to be such an obvious upgrade and/or with significant power. And I’m just not seeing that among this group.

Brett Baty just doesn’t strike me as a Cubs target for a dozen reasons.

Maybe Ryan Mountcastle would have made sense if he projected more like his 2021 self (33 HRs, .232 ISO), but he’s been trending the other way for the last few years.

Eugenio Suarez might ultimately end up as a free agent. He’s a known Cubs killer, but I don’t know if he’ll even be traded.

The Final Group: Potential Cubs Targets

So after all of that, we’re left with eleven MLB trade candidates for the Chicago Cubs – two starting pitchers, three relievers, three first basemen, and three OF/DH. Here’s where those players rank on MLBTR’s list.

#1 – Garrett Crochet, LHP, White Sox (starter)

#5 – Yandy Diaz, 1B, Rays

#6 – Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Marlins (starter)

#7 – Pete Fairbanks, RHP, Rays (reliever)

#8 – Josh Naylor, 1B, Guardians

#14 – Ryan Pressly, RHP, Astros (reliever)

#19 – David Bednar, RHP, Pirates (reliever)

#22 – Wilyer Abreu, OF, Red Sox

#24 – Nathaniel Lowe, 1B, Rangers

#31 – Brent Rooker, OF/DH, Athletics

#34 – Luis Robert Jr., OF, White Sox

The Starting Pitchers

Both publicly and behind the scenes, I’m sensing a growing consensus that the Cubs intend to pursue a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher this offseason. I tend to think that will not be Corbin Burnes; however, a free agent like Max Fried could make some sense. Likewise, I think a trade is a perfectly reasonable use of their organizational prospect depth, and both Garrett Crochet and Jesus Luzardo would be intriguing targets.

Crochet, 25, had a breakout season (3.58 ERA, 4.7 WAR, 97.3 MPH fastball, 35.1 K%) and was one of the most highly sought-after starters at the deadline. I fully expect him to be traded this winter, though he’ll likely be targeted heavily by a large number of contenders. I don’t think the Cubs and Sox would have any issue working together, but I tend to doubt the Cubs will end up the high bidder on this sure-to-be-traded arm.

Luzardo, 27, is an intriguing target with obvious talent, good strikeout numbers, and plenty of velocity … but health has been an issue. Given that he was limited to just 12 ineffective outings in 2024, I’d bet the Marlins ultimately hold onto him in the hopes that he can rebuild some value.

The Relief Pitchers

The Cubs haven’t been eager FINANCIAL spenders in the relief market under Jed Hoyer, but perhaps they’ll feel the sting of so many lost games last season and commit to adding impact to the pen via trade.

To that end, there are three interesting options on this list.

Pete Fairbanks, 30, throws hard, has closer experience, strikes batters out, and usually manages the free passes. Injuries have complicated the story, but he’s set to make just $3.67M in 2025 with a $7M club option ($1M buyout) for 2026.

Ryan Pressly, 35, saw his velocity dip alongside his strikeout rate as he wrapped up his age-35 season. But he’s also been one of the most valuable and consistent relievers over the past seven seasons: 380.2 IP (9th), 4.75 K/BB (15th), 2.88 ERA (33rd).

However, between his $14M salary in 2025, the full no-trade clause, and the drop in stuff, I don’t expect him to end up in Chicago.

David Bednar is such an interesting case. From 2021-2023, Bednar was arguably a top-3 reliever in MLB (2.25 ERA over 179.2 IP with 61 saves) and routinely discussed in trade rumors, because that’s just what the Pirates do. And then last season was just … a disaster. It’s hard to remember a reliever as consistently good as Bednar have such a bad season before he turns 30 WHILE ALSO experiencing an INCREASE in velocity. But that’s what happened: 5.77 ERA. If the Pirates want to sell low on Bednar, I’d be thrilled if the Cubs became involved.

The First Basemen

With some creative maneuvering, I could see the Cubs adding a first baseman this offseason, moving Michael Busch to another newly vacated position (because of a theoretical trade elsewhere). Whether that means a trade or adding someone via free agency (Pete Alonso, Anthony Santander), I’m not sure, but there are a few options on Steve Adams’ list.

Josh Naylor, 27, is still young and launched 31 homers last season while striking out only 16.6% of the time. He comes with just one year of team control (~$12M) and will probably be a popular target among more first-base needy teams. I can see him fitting on the Cubs, but I can’t see them prioritizing that trade.

And I think he’s more attractive and a better fit than Nathaniel Lowe and Yandy Diaz. But I don’t think you could just categorically exclude any of the above.

The real prize of this field would be if the Blue Jays make Vladimir Guerrero Jr. available this winter. He’ll cost a TON to acquire, plus he wants to stay in Toronto, so I wouldn’t count on it. But that’s the sort of big-bat play the Cubs need to be making if they won’t get serious about Juan Soto (and they won’t).

The Outfielders

If Cody Bellinger does not opt out, I do not believe the Cubs will acquire a starting outfielder this offseason. But because there’s a considerable belief that he might, we can at least consider some of the available names.

Wilyer Abreu is a 25-year-old rookie coming off a 3.1 WAR (114 wRC+) season with 15 homers for the Red Sox. He’s young, controlled cheaply for a long time, and has had success at the big league level. All the makings of an attractive player. But would the Cubs really expend resources to acquire him with Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara sitting right there behind Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and also kind of Cody Bellinger? I don’t think so.

Likewise, Luis Robert Jr. is an imperfect fit, but a name too intriguing to simply dismiss out of hand. I extremely do not see it happening, but hey. Let’s get weird. Robert had a bad 2024 season, but … it was the 2024 Chicago White Sox. I think a change of scenery and some better surrounding talent could easily unluck the star player we’ve seen in the past. Don’t think it’ll happen, but fun to think about.

And last but certainly not least is Brent Rooker. The outfielder/designated hitter is a VERY interesting target for the Chicago Cubs this offseason, and one I hope they explore very seriously:

2023: .246/.329/.488 (126 wRC+); 30 HRs
2024: .293/.365/.562 (164 wRC+); 39 HRs

He’s a righty and a DH, so there’s not a particularly useful platoon advantage with him. Indeed, this would likely make Seiya Suzuki the everyday right fielder. But the Cubs need power and Rooker has a LOT of it. He’s also under team control through 2027 and hasn’t yet played his age-30 season. I like it.

This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.