I like Steele a lot, but I love this as a thought exercise. I agree with O_O that it feels too early to pull the trigger given the current state of the rotation. But, in general, the Cubs’ group of top-end pitching prospects is more promising to me than their crop of hitting prospects, so I’m into this kind of deal to balance that out, and this lineup desperately needs a middle of the order slugger.
But, ultimately, I’m worried what it would mean for the 2024 rotation. Taillon would be the only starter locked in heading into the off-season, and they’d be backed into a corner of needing to pick up Hendricks’ option before they could even begin to consider upgrades. Given they’re content to let Stroman hit the open market, I’d take the field over the Cubs in FA. You’d be counting on a best case scenario where multiple pitching prospects stay healthy and indicate they’re ready to join the big league rotation.