There’s a sense of urgency in Chicago for the Cubs to make a move this July to solidify postseason aspirations, but it appears that any trade won’t come at the expense of the team’s future success.
According to Julie DiCaro of Chicago’s 670 The Score, the Cubs are reportedly not interested in compromising for Yankees relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman if the asking price is young slugger Kyle Schwarber, and aren’t willing to comply to New York’s demands.
Once source this morning says the Cubs are not willing to pay what the Yankees want for Miller or Chapman. Namely: Schwarber.
— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) July 21, 2016
Also sounds like the Cubs are much less interested in rentals than others may believe. They want cost-controlled guys they can build around.
— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) July 21, 2016
My question to my source was if the Cubs were still pursuing Chapman. His response ‘They aren’t going to pay what the Yankees want.’
— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) July 21, 2016
While the pursuance of both relievers appeared to be strong, Wednesday’s trade between the Cubs and Seattle Mariners may have changed the course of action. In need of a left-handed pitcher, Chicago acquired reliever Mike Montgomery in exchange for first base prospect Dan Vogelbach, who is considered to be similar to Schwarber’s caliber.
Chicago’s reluctance to part ways with Schwarber is due to his monstrous hitting potential. Last season, the 23-year-old rookie bashed 16 home runs in 69 games, and this past Monday, a source told Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman believes Schwarber ‘can hit 50 home runs’ in Yankee Stadium, and become a permanent replacement at designated hitter.
In the meantime, Schwarber is rehabbing a season-ending left knee injury which he suffered in early April.
