Cubs could use Michael Busch trade blueprint with Dodgers to address looming roster need
One of one of the best trades the Chicago Cubs have made beneath Jed Hoyer’s watch is buying Michael Busch from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs parted with two prospects with excessive ceilings, Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope, however Busch has cemented his place because the Cubs’ starting first baseman for the next several years.
It’s that sort of trade that Cubs followers might want to be mindful for subsequent offseason. The Cubs are going to have a number of voids ot fill throughout their roster. Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga, Carson Kelly, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki are among the many free brokers the Cubs may have subsequent winter.
The Cubs aren’t going to change every of these gamers with free-agent signings. Sure, there can be a prospect or two anticipated to have an elevated position with the group transferring ahead, however it’s outside-the-box offers just like the one the Cubs made with the Dodgers that could be how Jed Hoyer and Co. address a few of their wants.
Ryan Ward could make a well-known path for the Cubs
In reality, the Dodgers seem to be a transparent trade companion for the Cubs in that sort of deal. Like Busch, outfielder Ryan Ward is a slugging prospect who is blocked in LA. At 28 years previous, Ward is clearly prepared for the majors, however merely doesn’t have a spot obtainable for him with the Dodgers. It’s why he solely has six profession plate appearances to his identify.
Ward has flashed the facility at each stage of the Dodgers’ group. He had 27 dwelling runs throughout his first full season within the Dodgers’ group in 2021, and has eclipsed 30 dwelling runs in every of his final two seasons. It feels iinevitable that the Dodgers will use Ward as a trade chip on the deadline or this offseason.
There definitely could be some threat concerned in such a deal for the Cubs. It would possible require a prospect with the ceiling of changing into the subsequent high man within the system (Pedro Ramirez?), however it could be value it for the Cubs, contemplating Ramirez is in the end going to be blocked by the point he is prepared for the most important league stage. In different phrases, the Cubs have an opportunity to trade an ascending blocked prospect for a blocked prospect who could fill an space of need as quickly as subsequent season.
This is not the kind of trade it’s best to anticipate to see between the Cubs and Dodgers through the season, but when circumstances stay the identical this offseason, it appears like one that might be value keeping track of.
