The Chicago Cubs have reportedly been in the market for a starting pitcher this winter. One of the top targets rumored to be on Chicago's radar was left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo of the Miami Marlins.
On Sunday morning, the Philadelphia Phillies moved a few top prospects to Miami to acquire Luzardo. Now, the Cubs will need to pivot elsewhere if they want to add a starter.
FanSided's Mark Powell recently suggested the Cubs could swing a blockbuster trade for Minnesota Twins ace Pablo López. Powell suggested the Cubs could send No. 6 prospect Kevin Alcántara and No. 9 prospect Jaxon Wiggins to Minnesota for the $73 million ace.
"If Chicago wanted to pivot in a different direction without forfeiting their entire farm system, former Marlins pitcher and current Twins ace Pablo López would be an ideal place to look," Powell wrote. "The Twins are willing to sell off some assets, and López would retrieve a nice return.
"López has finished over 2.5 WAR in each of the past four seasons and made the American League All-Star Team in 2023 while finishing seventh in AL Cy Young voting. He's legit. López is also signed through the 2027 season, and while he's not as cheap as Luzardo, he's a capable starter making just over $21 million in each of the next three years."
The Twins righty is one of the better trade candidates on the market this winter. He's coming off a 4.08 ERA campaign which comes after posting four consecutive sub-4.00 ERA seasons from 2020 through 2023.
The Cubs need to add a starter and this trade pitched by Powell would make sense. Adding López makes sense for the Cubs, but it's still a bit in question whether the Twins will actually deal him away.
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