The Cubs continue to play average ball, but July has come around, so it might be that time to make a trade. According to MLB.com's Joe Morosi, the Cubs are interested in making a trade for Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander and catcher Alex Avila. The Tigers are 37-45 and 7.5 games out of the division.
Terrible trade by Cubs if happens
Why would the Cubs be looking at these two particular players? Verlander is a 34-year old pitcher that is owed $28 million a year in 2018 and 2019. He has a vesting option for 2020, but he would be 37 by the time that happens.
Verlander finished second in the Cy Young voting last year, but he had earned run averages of 3.46, 4.54, and a 3.38 in an injury year. Plus, he is sporting a 4.96 ERA this season.
Avila plays primarily catcher. The Cubs already have a young catcher in Wilson Contreras who has hit .256 this year. Contreras also plays solid defense behind the plate. Avila has 10 home runs this year, but he is also an older catcher at 30 years old.
Long story short, the Cubs are looking at the wrong players to fill a void. The Cubs are 41-41 on the season. They obviously need pitching, but Verlander should not be the option. In the report, it was said that Avilla could provide a backup role since Kyle Schwarber is in the minors, and Miguel Montero was waived by the team.
Still, giving up pieces for a job that Victor Caratini can do seems foolish.
Cubs would strap themselves with Verlander
Jake Arrieta and John Lackey come off the books this winter. It has been rumored that Arrieta is likely to go elsewhere, but nothing has been confirmed. The Cubs are not likely to bring Lackey back due to his age.
If the Cubs brought in Verlander, there would be no way possible that they could make a pitch to Arrieta.
Arrieta will be 32 years old next season. Verlander will be 35 years old next season. The Cubs already have Jon Lester under contract, and he will be 34 years old next January. The Cubs need younger, controllable starters.
They are not going to find it this offseason, so if they are going to make a trade, then it needs to be for a pitcher like Chris Archer.
Cubs activate Heyward
Jason Heyward was activated from the 10-day disabled list. The Cubs optioned Felix Pena and Jeimer Candelario back to triple-A Iowa. Heyward missed two weeks due to a hand abrasion. Heyward was in third place during the 88th MLB All Star Game voting before his injury, but his two week absence slowed the voters as he fell out of the starting lineup.
