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All right, so everyone’s been trying to trade Kyle Schwarber since 2016, and back then you had a pretty good idea that this front office simply wasn’t in the business of shipping him out of Chicago. I mean, they said no to the Yankees for Andrew Miller and that’s when Miller was the most dominant reliever in the game. Anyway, he certainly hasn’t produced up to the expectations that the Cubs and fans placed on him, but Schwarber has still been more than decent. That being said, the Cubs will always value him higher than most teams, which is why the latest trade rumor involving Schwarber isn’t much of a surprise.
Schwarber just had a 3.2 fWAR season and yet there are plenty of fans who can’t wait to get rid of him. And there are obviously teams hoping to buy low on him, but again, Theo Epstein isn’t selling low.
So yeah, when Bob Nightengale says that the Cubs have said “not available” in trade talks with teams asking for the left fielder, it’s more, “we don’t want your shitty offer for Schwarber.”
Several teams have inquired on Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber but they’ve all gotten the same response from #Cubs. No, he’s not available
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 9, 2018
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It just doesn’t make any sense for the Cubs to trade Schwarber, who again despite his “bad” season was still one of the most productive offensive players on the team. For a roster that needs to improve offensively, trading away a guy who gets on base at a solid rate and hits for power doesn’t add up unless the players coming back in a deal blow the Cubs away.
Of course, there’s the possibility that a Schwarber trade can happen, but that would mean other moves would have to proceed it. Like, big moves to add to the outfield.
Anyway, the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas have started and you should expect some action from the Cubs this week. Definitely expect a trade by the end of the week. But Kyle Schwarber? Doubt it and if he is dealt that’s going to be a huge move for the Cubs.
