Potential Trade Destinations for Chicago Cubs Starter Smyly

With the Chicago Cubs unlikely to be playoff contenders in 2023, shopping left-handed starter Drew Smyly could benefit both Chicago and his potential new home.

Regina Ham | Jun 6, 2023

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There are less than eight weeks until MLB Trade Deadline and the Chicago Cubs will likely be a seller. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer and General Manager Carter Hawkins are already starting to make their trade deadline plans.

But in order to add either new bats or pitchers to the team, there will need to be some players heading to new clubs.

This could see Chicago's left-handed middle-of-the-rotation starter Drew Smyly find himself a new home.

The 33-year-old signed a $19 million, two-year contract back in December 2022. Smyly is making $8 million in 2023 and will gain the ability to opt out of his $8.5 million salary for 2024 if he pitches 100 innings this season.

If he doesn't opt out after 2023, his contract features a $10 million mutual option for 2025 with a $2.5 million buyout.

The veteran southpaw has a 3.56 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 57 strikeouts over 65.2 innings through 12 starts this season.

Despite the consistency, Chicago may still shop him, and there might be more than a few landing spots.

Likely: With any starting pitcher discussion, the Philadelphia Phillies are in the market for a fifth one. Right-handers Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are the two team aces but those performances can be hit-and-miss.

MLB top-10 prospect Andrew Painter got hurt in the spring and is slowly working his way back. Bailey Falter lost his role and was sent back to Triple-A Lehigh.

That last part has left the Phillies short on options every fifth day as whoever they have available immediately down in the minors is either hurt or underperforming. They also can't exhaust the bullpen.

Smyly fits the needs of Philadelphia: consistent, reliable, and has a winning record.

It wouldn't cost the Phillies much to acquire him if they're in a contending/threatening position come deadline time. They’d pick up the pro-rated part of the $8 million from this year and potentially be on the hook for $8.5 million in 2024.

Likely: The Los Angeles Dodgers are likely to look for pitchers at the trade deadline. Their pitching depth has been tested with left-hander Julio Urías and right-hander Dustin May both spending time on the injured list.

Urías threw in the bullpen over the weekend but May was put on the 60-day IL two weeks ago following a platelet-rich plasma injection to treat his right elbow strain. Righty Noah Syndergaard is struggling mightily in the rotation with a rough 6.54 ERA over 52.1 innings pitched.

Smyly would be a low-cost acquisition for Los Angeles. He’s got a 22% strikeout rate and it’s on pace to be his highest in a full season since 2019. Smyly can also be trusted to throw at least five-plus inning games, giving the consistency and health needed to the Dodgers' rotation.

L.A. has a plethora of prospects to deal at the trade deadline. Chicago could benefit from that if moves are made.

Potential: Another team who could benefit from a Chicago trade is the New York Yankees. They’re going to be active buyers at the MLB trade deadline. They need another veteran arm in the rotation and Smyly would be a middle-rotation fit.

New York has debuted a starting rotation this season largely missing Luis Severino and Carlos Rodón. Good news for the Yankees, though, as manager Aaron Boone said that Rodón is slated to face hitters Wednesday.

But depth is important if the Yankees want to remain contenders in the American League East race.

Potential: It might be less feasible but if the Houston Astros continues to have pitching issues, general manager Dana Brown may take his “aggressive” approach and pick up another starter.

The Astros starting rotation is banged up. Right-hander Luis Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery and is done for 2023. Rotation mainstay Lance McCullers Jr. suffered a setback in his rehab and José Urquidy is still out with a shoulder injury.

Brown doesn’t want to rush Urquidy’s return to the mound and signaled the All-Star break could be when he’s back with the squad. Picking up Smyly would give the Astros insurance for the starting rotation.

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Published Jun 6, 2023

REGINA HAM

Regina Ham is an editor and writer for Inside the Cubs. As an alumna of the University of Maryland-College Park, she studied both broadcast and multimedia journalism. A six-year veteran of the sports industry, she's worked in radio, television, and online media. You can follow her on Twitter @regina_ham or Instagram @reginamariesports. Upon her undergraduate education, Regina went to work in 2016 for Sirius XM-Satellite Radio on College Sports Nation/ESPNU for two years. During her time in school, Regina interned at a variety of Washington, D.C.-area media organizations, including NBC Sports Washington and WTOP. There she assisted in coverage of local MLB and NHL teams. She also interned down at WAAY 31 in Huntsville, AL and worked on stories regarding the local Minor League Baseball affiliate and SEC football. Regina worked in international sports television for almost four years, covering sports from MLS to the KHL and the KBO. She joined Philly Sports Network in 2022 and covers both the Phillies and Philadelphia Flyers before joining the Sports Illustrated network in 2023. You can follow her on Twitter @Regina_ham or on Instagram @reginamariesports. If you have any questions or comments, she can be reached at regina.ham28@gmail.com.