MLB Trade Rumors: Cubs Scoop 2 Rotation Arms In One Proposed Blockbuster Deal
The Chicago Cubs need rotation help. This, we know. The Kansas City Royals are likely to be sellers at the trade deadline, as they sit buried near the bottom of the American League.
One proposed blockbuster deal that could totally get the Cubs out of their rotation woes, while super-charging a Royals' rebuild, comes to us from Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report.
Chicago Cubs receive:
- RHP Seth Lugo
- RHP Michael Wacha
Kansas City Royals receive:
- SS Jefferson Rojas (Cubs' No. 1 prospect)
- RHP Jaxon Wiggins (Cubs' #3)
- OF Kevin Alcántara
The Cubs would get two solid, upper-to-mid rotation veteran arms with significant major league experience. Their starting staff is sparse, with Cade Horton out for the year, former ace Justin Steele remaining out until late summer, and even then, he won't be used in a starting role, and Matthew Boyd is only just returning on Thursday after missing close to two months. Shota Imanaga, the other top Cubs starter, has been roughed up over the last month or so, getting bitten by the home run bug, and surrendering a 5.27 ERA over his last five starts.
Both Lugo and Wacha are having their usual solid, if not spectacular, seasons, but they're being wasted on a team that won't be a contender this year. They'd be a huge boost to the Cubs rotation.
Meanwhile, the Royals can capitalize on that by bringing in this proposed big prospect haul. In this hypothetical deal, they would land two of the Cubs' top three prospects.
Rojas, the Cubs' No. 1 prospect, is currently tearing the cover off the ball in AA, and is projected to reach the majors next season. The 21-year-old has elite bat-to-ball skills, and defensive versatility across the middle infield.
Wiggins, a hard-throwing 6'6" right-hander, has had a few starts at AAA, and could be a factor this season in the majors.
