The Chicago Cubs are willing to trade Marcus Stroman to the right suitor, assuming they can meet the asking price.
Starting pitching is at a premium at the 2023 MLB trade deadline. Just hours after Lucas Giolito was traded to the Angels in a package which sent back a top-100 prospect to the White Sox, it's clear the asking price for top starting pitching is high.
As capable as Giolito is, Stroman is better at his best, and has a player option after the season. It's possible — though unlikely — that Stroman could decline said option and stay put wherever he lands through the 2024 season and beyond. The far more likely possibility is that he opts out, thus becoming a free agent and testing the market.
However, Stroman has struggled of late. In his last two starts he's given up a combined 11 runs in just under seven innings of work. He was pulled in the fourth inning of both outings, thus hurting his trade value while he's at it.
Marcus Stroman Rumors: A Braves-Cubs trade package
By adding in a reliever like Fulmer, the Cubs take a page out of their southside neighbors approach. Pairing those two together ensures the Cubs receive to prospect capital. In this case, that's A.J. Smith-Shawver, who is the Braves top prospect and a top-100 prospect in all of baseball. He's only 20 years old, but already has MLB experience.
Shewmake, meanwhile, can slide in as a backup shortstop right away. He's familiar enough with Dansby Swanson's work, considering the two spent time together in Atlanta. His bat needs some work, but Shewmake is a reliable defensive replacement off the bench.
Dodd has starting experience with the Braves and impressed enough in spring training to receive a rotation slot. McCabe, meanwhile, has been raking all season long in the lower levels of the minors. He strikes out too much right now, but power is tough to teach.
Marcus Stroman rumors: A Blue Jays-Cubs trade package
There were some rumors the Blue Jays sniffed around about a possible Stroman reunion in Toronto. That still seems unlikely given how Stroman left things with front office executive Ross Atkins, but let's not completely rule out the possibility. The Jays need starting pitching, and Atkins is professional enough to realize when he was wrong, and move forward.
In a similar setup to the Braves trade, the Blue Jays would receive their former ace and Fulmer for a prospect-laden package. While they will hold onto top overall prospect Ricky Tiedemann, who is ranked in the top-100, Barriera is their 2022 first-round pick, and just 19 years of age. He projects to be a frontline starter should he continue to develop at this rate.
Barger and Robberse are closing in on the majors, with the former as the higher-ranked prospect in the Jays system. He has adjusted well to Triple-A Buffalo. Robberse, meanwhile, has an ERA just over four in Double-A.
As for Meza, he's an 18-year-old flyer, and a catcher who could develop at a different position.
Marcus Stroman Rumors: An Astros-Cubs trade package
Houston doesn't have much as it pertains to prospect capital — they have one of the worst farm systems in the sport right now. It's barren, as the majority of their young talent is playing in the big leagues. Still, players like Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger are sure to be of interest to Houston.
Brown, a former top prospect, projects to be at the very least a mid-rotation starting pitcher. He's just 24 years old. Gilbert is a top-70 prospect in all of baseball, but that's the price for Bellinger, who is on an tear nearing the deadline and increasing his value by the game. Korey Lee is Houston's fifth-ranked prospect and a 25-year-old Triple-A catcher. He hits quite well with the Sugar Land Skeeters, meaning he could make a cameo in Chicago.
It's a lot to ask for both sides, which makes such a deal unlikely. Pairing their best trade assets together gets Chicago an incredible return from Houston, but it also limits them. The Cubs have rightly been scouting contending organizations across the league the last few weeks. Why limit yourself to Houston, especially considering their system rank?
As for the Astros, they are depleting themselves of young talent for two players who could very well leave at the end of the season. To ensure this deal is a success, Houston would need to extend both players prior to free agency.
As fun and creative as it may be, the odds are against such a move.