Report: Cubs 'likely to pursue' two Tampa Bay All-Stars |
The Chicago Cubs are still trying to bolster their starting rotation despite signing Tyler Chatwood to a three-year deal this week.
"We have plenty more work to do,” Theo Epstein said after signing Chatwood. "We are certainly not done. The focus of the winter has been pitching. We need to continue to add to the rotation and retool the bullpen to a certain extent." MLB.com insider Phil Rogers believes that the Cubs are trying to reel in two big fish out of Tampa Bay. "Cubs seem likely to pursue Rays closer Alex Colome and ace Chris Archer," Rogers tweeted. "Getting both would take a monster return, however. It's going to be a fun week at Winter Meetings." Both players would fit perfectly in the two areas of needs for the Cubs. However, it won't come cheaply as the Cubs will probably have to move players off their major league roster such as Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and/or Addison Russell. A trade for both players to the Cubs makes a lot of sense since they would be reunited with their former pitching coach Jim Hickey. Archer has four years left on his contract with the Rays including $6.25 million in 2018, $7.5 million in 2019, $9 million in 2020, and $11 million in 2021. In 2017, he was 10-12 with 4.07 ERA, 249 strikeouts (3rd in AL), and 1.26 WHIP this season. For his career, the 29-year old has an impressive 3.63 ERA going 51-63 with 1044 strikeouts and 1.21 WHIP. The Cleveland Indians drafted him in the fifth round of the 2006 MLB Draft. Alex Colome had an impressive 2017 season leading the league with 47 saves. Overall, he had a 3.24 ERA, 58 strikeouts, and 1.20 WHIP. The Rays have confirmed they will listen to all trades during Winter meetings on players for their team.
