The Chicago Cubs have kicked off their MLB season with a promising run, tying with the Milwaukee Brewers at 16 wins each, and positioning themselves as strong contenders for the National League Central title.
Remarkably, they’ve achieved this despite franchise ace Justin Steele making only one appearance due to injury and veteran Kyle Hendricks struggling with the highest ERA in his career.
Patrick Mooney, a Cubs beat reporter for The Athletic, has raised the possibility of the Cubs trading for veteran pitcher Justin Verlander. The Houston Astros, who have been underperforming, might be willing to part with Verlander, allowing the Cubs to strengthen their roster for a playoff push.
“Merging the tail end of Verlander’s illustrious career with the Cubs’ resurgence could be a game changer,” Mooney suggested.
MLB NEWS & RUMORS: Justin Verlander, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs Updates
During their recent sweep of the Astros, the Cubs showed that they have the potential to go deep into the postseason, highlighted by their victories over top National League teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Brad Wakai from Inside The Astros expressed that if the Astros’ struggles persist, despite a softer schedule ahead, they might start offloading key players.
Among those potentially on the trading block are Alex Bregman, Ryan Pressly, Framber Valdez, and Kyle Tucker, who are all approaching free agency next season.
Verlander, however, could be the most attractive trade piece. After recovering from a shoulder injury, he returned to the mound with a stellar 1.74 ERA across two starts, demonstrating his continued prowess.
MLB NEWS & RUMORS: Justin Verlander, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs Updates
Verlander, who is in the final year of a substantial contract initially signed with the New York Mets, has shown he still has significant value.
Furthermore, Verlander’s milestone pursuit of 300 career wins makes him an even more appealing addition for any team, particularly one like the Cubs, who are looking to capitalize on their current momentum.
Although it’s uncertain if the Astros will decide to rebuild by trading Verlander for younger talents, or what exact needs the Cubs will aim to address, Verlander’s presence could dramatically enhance Chicago’s performance in the critical late-season games.
MLB NEWS & RUMORS: Justin Verlander, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs Updates
As Mooney observed, “These two franchises seem to be on divergent paths; the Cubs are on the rise, while the Astros appear to be in decline.”
Do you want the latest news, updates, and rumors surrounding all sports? Click here. Make sure to check out our sister sites as well: NFL Analysis Network, NBA Analysis Network, Packers Coverage.
