CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 21: Drew Smyly #11 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after colliding with Yan Gomes #15 (not pictured) during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on April 21, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MLB Rumors: Will the Cubs trade Yan Gomes?
The Chicago Cubs won on Tuesday night, ending the conversation (for now) over which rentals they’ll trade at the deadline. However, sitting well under .500, it’s a question that isn’t going away.
Yes, the Cubs reside in the weak NL Central, but unless Jed Hoyer truly believes they have World Series-level talent, it would be unwise to hold onto players they could lose this offseason past late July. Hoyer knows this, and addressed it a week back.
“You’re always thinking (about the trade deadline),” Hoyer said. “It’s a real factor in every season, right? Whether you’re looking for reinforcements, whether it’s a year where you’re selling, every team has it. You want to act with conviction when you get there — either direction. Like I’ve said all along, I want nothing more than to be on the (buy) side of the transaction.”
Even David Ross admitted his team is lucky to be in the NL Central, where they remain just four games back of the Milwaukee Brewers. So, with that in mind, who might they trade?
A popular candidate might be catcher Yan Gomes, who is having a surprisingly impressive season offensively, and is still solid behind home plate. For a contending team, he could be a real upgrade at catcher. Plus, he’s on an expiring contract.
FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray graded the San Diego Padres as a 6/10 fit for Gomes, highlighting their need for a catcher:
“The San Diego Padres need catching help. Badly. And there are no obvious answers on the trade market this year, especially after Sean Murphy was traded in the offseason…Gomes is only signed through the 2023 season, so he would only be a rental. It would still leave the Padres in need of a long-term catcher. But it would solidify the position for this year…”
It remains to be seen if the Cubs feel the same way.