Question of the week: Name your preferred trade candidate!

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm working on creating more integrated content with our userbase, so I'm trying different stuff. Something I'd like to hear is each of your preferred trade targets this July. Just list one, and please keep it reasonable (or rationalize your insanity, if that's even possible).

So, who is "your guy" this July?

[squally1313]

The Cy Young guy

[CubinNY]

I'd say Skubal, but only if they think they can work out a long-term contract with him. 

Also, maybe get creative and trade Suzuki or some other current starter for a cost-controlled SP who can slide into the rotation this season or next. 

Jed needs to show some imagination this deadline. 

[mul21]

Well, I was going to say Joe Ryan, but it looks like his elbow is trying to fall off so scratch that.  Sanzatela doesn't miss enough bats for my taste.  I guess that leaves me at Reid Detmers if the Angels make him available.  Seems like a guy who could use some of the Cubs pitch lab creativity and he's not a free agent until after 2028.

[Jason Ross]

Bertz mentioned Reid Detmers the other day and he's quickly rocketed up my list. Skubal is probably your best pound for pound player but with Detmers potential control he might just be my other favorite. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

1 hour ago, mul21 said:

Well, I was going to say Joe Ryan, but it looks like his elbow is trying to fall off so scratch that.

He's shown zero signs of anything wrong since. 31.2 innings, 31.2% K, 3.2 % BB. I think if there's any concern with Ryan it's that he's another guy that won't pitch into our good defense, only a 38% GB rate.

Edited 5 hours ago by Tangled Up in Plaid

[We Got The Whole 9]

Realistically, Sonny. I think we'd be outbid for Skubal. Detmers is very intriguing. 

[mul21]

20 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

He's shown zero signs of anything wrong since. 31.2 innings, 31.2% K, 3.2 % BB. I think if there's any concern with Ryan it's that he's another guy that won't pitch into our good defense, only a 38% GB rate.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48688392/twins-joe-ryan-make-next-start-elbow-scare

Edit: Ope, didn't realize that was from a month ago.

Edited 5 hours ago by mul21

[Outshined_One]

Shohei Ohtani would definitely solve this team's offense and pitching issues...

But seriously, with Skubal and Detmers already mentioned, SP Casey Mize would be my third.  The injury risk is there, but he's a FA after this season and it looked like he turned the corner before going on the IL a week ago.  The asking price should also be reasonable compared to some of the other guys on the market.

[Rcal10]

I think Gray or Detmers would be my pick. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Rentals: Gray, Mize, Skubal

1 more year of control: Ryan

2 more years of control: Detmers

Anyone else? And what are you willing to trade for these guys?

[PackLandVA]

Skubal to the Dodgers seems like the obvious trade.

[Outshined_One]

28 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Rentals: Gray, Mize, Skubal

1 more year of control: Ryan

2 more years of control: Detmers

Anyone else? And what are you willing to trade for these guys?

The Royals' trio of Michael Wacha (signed through '27), Kris Bubic (FA after this season), and Seth Lugo (signed through '27) should be available.  Sandy Alcantara should also be on the market, although his season has been kinda eh.  Freddy Peralta might also be available, but that depends on how delusional the Mets are.

In terms of who to give up, I don't think anyone on the Cubs or in their system is strictly off limits, but, putting prospects and young controllable guys into tiers, for Tier 1 I'd hope they do their damndest to hold onto Horton, Shaw, Ballesteros, Hartshorn, and Wing (in that order); for Tier 2 I'd want them to hold out on trading Pedro Ramirez, Jaxson Wiggins, and Jefferson Rojas (in that order) unless it's in a deal for a multi-year guy or Skubal; and for Tier 3, I'd be generally okay with any other prospect getting traded assuming fair value in the deal.

[Stratos]

49 minutes ago, PackLandVA said:

Skubal to the Dodgers seems like the obvious trade.

That would be depressing.

[Bertz]

Like others I like Detmers.  He feels like the closest analogue to where Cabrera/Gore/Ryan were at this time last year.  I like getting someone with control because like last year you need them now and you already know you need to trade for a SP next winter too.  And with the lockout this winter I'm not sure you can just wait it out like you could a year ago.

Sonny Gray's my guy as far as rentals, though I hope we don't have to settle for a rental.

Pie in the sky...Chase Dollander?  He'd cost a shitload, but Depodesta's probably clear-eyed about how much farther he has to go in this rebuild and the odds of Dollander surviving through all of that.  And because they are that bereft of talent a 5 for 1 is probably much more on the table than it might be with some other partners.

[Post Count Padder]

Is there some crazy scenario where we send Shaw and Mo to the Giants for Logan Webb and maybe Eldridge? Get an ace and a big power bat, though I'm sure it would cost more than that.

[Post Count Padder]

On second thought maybe my preferred trade candidate is this whole team.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

1 hour ago, Post Count Padder said:

Is there some crazy scenario where we send Shaw and Mo to the Giants for Logan Webb and maybe Eldridge? Get an ace and a big power bat, though I'm sure it would cost more than that.

Webb would cost Shaw and Mo alone