The Chicago Cubs are expected to be spenders this offseason and should join the Mike Trout sweepstakes because of it.
Earlier in August, Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts stated that the team is “making progress” with their rebuild and that they plan to be “very active again” when it comes to the free-agent market. It’s clear that Ricketts wants the Cubs to move past their current rebuilding stage, so perhaps they would be open to the prospect of acquiring Mike Trout via trade from the Los Angeles Angels.
With the Cubs being such a historic franchise, it’s hard to believe that Trout would be against the idea of joining them, particularly with the fact that the Angels are in the process of looking to sell the team and the uncertainty that could potentially bring.
Keep in mind, it’s important to note that the superstar has 10-and-5 rights (10 years in the majors and five with the team), so he would have to okay a move to Chicago for it to have any chance of happening. However, with Ricketts’ declaration that the Cubs are looking to be contenders again, it could be something that Trout is interested in joining.
Chicago Cubs: A dream trade package to acquire Mike Trout
There’s no question that the idea of the Cubs landing Trout is an exciting one for Chicago fans. However, with the 31-year-old being a franchise-level talent, it would cost them a lot to acquire him. Let’s look at a potential trade package that could make this blockbuster occur.
Cubs Get
Mike Trout
Angels Get
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Brennan Davis
Jordan Wicks
Ben Brown
The Angels certainly would expect Cubs top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong in return. Like Trout, he is a centerfielder, so he could end up being the Angels’ long-term replacement for the future Hall of Famer. Crow-Armstrong is viewed as having immense potential, and his 2022 season certainly helps back that notion up. In 91 games in Single-A this season, he has 16 home runs, 55 RBIs, and a .313 batting average.
Brennan Davis is another top prospect from the Cubs who mans the outfield. Due to this, there’s no question that he would be on the Angels’ radar, too. His 2022 season hasn’t been the best, however, as he has three home runs, 11 RBIs, and a .183 batting average in 31 games. Even though it has been a rough year for the 22-year-old outfielder, he should be able to bounce back due to his high potential and previous success in the minor leagues.
It isn’t the biggest secret that the Angels desperately need to improve their pitching. Thus, prospect Jordan Wicks could make sense for them in this deal. Like the two players above, he needs a bit more time in the minors for development, but he is trending in the right direction. In 22 appearances this season split between Single-A+ and Double-A, he sports a 4-6 record and 4.11 ERA.
Ben Brown would also make sense for the Angels. The 6-foot-6 starter is having a strong 2022 season and could be ready for the majors shortly if he keeps this up. In 20 games split between Single-A+ and Double-A, he has a 4-5 record and 3.50 ERA.
Alas, it would be extremely intriguing to see Trout become a Cub, but it wouldn’t come cheap for Chicago. They have the prospects to potentially make a deal come to fruition, so let’s see if these two clubs can get a move done this offseason.