Cubs Previous Trade Target Could be Available in Offseason
The Chicago Cubs are facing some tough decisions this offseason when factoring in how to build a contending team.
How much money will ownership being willing to spend? Will the front office give up talented prospects in the trade market? What are the priority positions they need to upgrade?
These questions are something that ownership and the front office will need to figure out together before the offseason begins and they start building their blueprint.
Seemingly one of the areas that might not need to upgrading is their starting pitching rotation.
Justin Steele emerged as a NL Cy Young contender this year. Rookies Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks proved themselves in the rotation. Chicago spent for free agent pitcher Jameson Taillon.
But, there's also a chance that the Cubs could move off of veteran pitcher Kyle Hendricks this offseason and not pick up his $16 million club option.
Despite signs pointing to Marcus Stroman opting-into his player option, he could still choose entering free agency.
If that's the case, there would be a hole in the rotation.
One player that was a previous trade target of Chicago could be made available when the season ends.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, ace pitcher Tyler Glasnow could be on the trading block as the Tampa Bay Rays look to shed salary.
"The team will have a different look, as it always does, when reassembling in February in Port Charlotte, as team officials weigh salaries against performances, as well as current need vs. future projections. Top salaried pitcher Tyler Glasnow (a team-record $25 million) and position player Manuel Margot ($10 million) seem likely to be in trade discussions," Mark Topkin writes.
The star righty signed a two-year deal with the Rays in 2023 and would become a free agent in 2025.
The Cubs were interesting in trading for him in the past and he could emerge as a potential target if the front office thinks he will turn them into a contender.
