The Chicago Cubs were always expected to target starting pitching this offseason, whether through free agency or trades, but so far, they’ve missed out on some key opportunities. While they were never anticipated to be in the running for top-tier free agents like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried, there were several trade options that seemed to fit their needs but ultimately didn’t work out.
One of the more promising possibilities was a deal with their crosstown rivals, the Chicago White Sox, for left-hander Garrett Crochet. However, Crochet was traded to the Boston Red Sox instead, leaving the Cubs to explore other options. Another potential trade target was Jesús Luzardo, a six-year veteran from the Miami Marlins, whose deal seemed close to happening but eventually stalled. Luzardo was ultimately traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, forcing the Cubs to continue their search for starting pitching elsewhere.
If the Cubs decide to keep looking for a starter through the trade market rather than signing another free agent to complement Matthew Boyd, one potential new target could be Pablo López, the right-handed pitcher from the Minnesota Twins. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported last week that López could be available given the high demand for starting pitchers and the steep prices in free agency this offseason. Mark Powell of FanSided even suggested a trade scenario where the Cubs acquire López in exchange for prospects Kevin Alcantara and Jaxon Wiggins.
Similar to Luzardo, one of the attractive aspects of López is that he is under contract for the next three seasons, though at a relatively high price of $21 million per year. What makes López even more appealing, however, is his durability. While Luzardo has missed over 30 starts in the past three years, López has managed to make 32 starts in each of the last three seasons. Over that stretch, he’s posted a solid ERA of 3.83, a 36-28 record, a strong WHIP of 1.171, and has struck out 606 batters in 559.1 innings.
Given that the Cubs have already added a left-handed pitcher in Boyd and have two more lefties at the top of their rotation in Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga, adding a right-handed starter like López would help balance their pitching staff. While there have been no direct reports linking López to the Cubs yet, if Minnesota is actively listening to offers, the Cubs should certainly be in the mix for a potential deal.
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