The Chicago Cubs turned the baseball world upside down this week when they acquired superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros in a blockbuster deal.
The Cubs are trying to put themselves in a spot to steal the National League Central from the Milwaukee Brewers and they look to be doing quite a good job. Adding Tucker puts the team in win-now mode.
Next, Chicago could look to acquire an ace-level pitcher to place atop its rotation with Shota Imanaga and company. A trade with the Seattle Mariners would make sense. Seattle has been rumored to be listening to offers for starting pitcher Luis Castillo, who would make a lot of sense for the Cubs.
Here's a deal that could send Castillo to the Cubs:
- Chicago Cubs acquire: RHP Luis Castillo, $25 million
- Seattle Mariners acquire: 2B Nico Hoerner, OF Kevin Alcántara (No. 6 prospect), RHP Jack Neely (No. 17 prospect)
In this deal, Castillo goes to the Cubs alongside $25 million. That money would be good for paying about 33 percent of Castillo's remaining contract. This deal gives Chicago a high floor, high ceiling starter that's under contract for a few more seasons. If Chicago wants to win, this is the deal to make.
For the Mariners, they would be adding a win now infielder in Nico Hoerner. It's unknown if the Cubs would still be willing to move Hoerner after trading Isaac Paredes.
Kevin Alcántara is a high-ceiling outfield prospect ranked among Chicago's best prospects. With the addition of Tucker and a few outfield prospects above him, he's expendable for Chicago, but valuable to Seattle.
Jack Neely has the profile of an elite reliever, but he's the price you pay when trading for an elite pitcher like Castillo.
