ESPN discusses potential blockbuster trade moves for Cubs |
ESPN's senior writer Jim Bowden talked about the different trade moves that the
Cubs might be interested in pursuing including a run at six-time All-Star and two-time major league home run champion Jose Bautista.
Jose Bautista is currently batting .234 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs with a .369 on-base percentage this season. For his career, he is a .256 hitter with 298 home runs and 833 RBIs. "In terms of “buyers,” the Chicago Cubs have the best record and team in baseball, but that won’t stop them from adding another significant piece or two; they are committed to winning the World Series this year," Bowden said. "A left-handed reliever is their biggest need, and they’d love to pry either Chapman or Miller away from the Yankees; Fernando Abad from the Twins or Sean Doolittle from the Athletics are other options. It also won’t surprise me if the Cubs go after one more bat, especially if it’s a one-year rental like Josh Reddick of the A's or an impact player like Jose Bautista, if the Toronto Blue Jays dropped out of the playoff picture." The Cubs have been scouting Yankees relievers over the weekend according to the New York Post. In 2016, flame-thrower Aroldis Chapman has a 1.93 ERA with 11 saves, 21 strikeouts with a 1.00 WHIP. He was suspended for the first thirty games of the season due to an off-season personal conduct policy violation. He is currently making $11.325 million and will be a free agent at the end of the year. For his career, he has a 2.16 ERA with 157 saves, 567 strikeouts, and a 1.02 WHIP. He also holds the major league record all-time for the fastest pitch at 105 MPH. Lefty reliever Andrew Miller is having a fantastic year with a 1.01 ERA with seven saves, 48 strikeouts, and a 0.68 WHIP. For his career, he has a 4.43 ERA with 44 saves, 638 strikeouts, and a 1.45 WHIP. He is under contract for the next two seasons, for $9 million annually.
