Peter G. Aiken - USA Today Sports
Peter G. Aiken - USA Today Sports

Cubs reportedly in trade talks with Indians


by - Senior Editor -

The Chicago Cubs have already made three pitcher free-agent signings with starter Tyler Chatwood, reliever Brandon Morrow and starter Drew Smyly.

However, it appears they aren't trying to make pitching moves this offseason.

MLB insider Bruce Levine reports that the Cubs and the Indians are having trade talks during the final moments of the Winter Meetings.

"The Cubs and Indians have had trade talk conversations. RHP Danny Salazar has been mentioned," Levine posted. "The Indians looking for left-handed hitting in return."

In 2017, Salazar had a 5-6 record with 4.28 ERA, 145 strikeouts, and 1.34 WHIP. However, he allowed two or fewer earned runs in 9 of his last 11 starts. For his four-year major league career, he has an overall record of 38-33 with 3.82 ERA, 686 strikeouts, and 1.26 WHIP.

His fastball is elite as it tops 100 MPH occasionally and he has a nasty split-change that helps strikes out batters at a high clip of 10.5 K's per nine innings.

Salazar had elbow and shoulder issues last season but he would be highly coveted by the Cubs with his contract controlled through the 2020 season. Two Cubs positional players that the Indians would probably inquire for Salazar is outfielders Kyle Schwarber and/or Ian Happ.

Other starting pitchers on the Cubs radar are Danny Duffy and Chris Archer.

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