Cubs On The Spring Training Trade Block: Nate Schierholtz

Nate Schierholtz got off to a great start last year and looked like a prime trade candidate when the deadline rolled around. Somewhat surprisingly, he was not traded and then tailed off a bit in the second half, then cratered in September. Schierholtz is currently projected to be the Cubs' starting right fielder, so it'd be somewhat surprising if he's dealt. That being said, Jon Morosi floated that Schierholtz may be available because of how much Ryan Kalish has progressed. And then Bruce Levine reported that the Tigers' top scout was watching Schierholtz.

The Detroit Tigers make the most sense for Schierholtz after they lost leftfielder Andy Dirks, the lefthanded part of a projected left field platoon, for about three months to a back problem. A trade before the season started would have left the Cubs very handcuffed in right field, but Ryan Kalish is supposedly doing things reminiscent of when he was a top prospect two years ago. There really isn't big league time for Kalish unless Schierholtz is moved, so if the Cubs really are buying Kalish's spring training, Schierholtz could be made available.

Tigers trade suggestion: Nate Schierholtz for RHP Drew VerHagen

VerHagen is considered a top 10-15 prospect in the Tigers system. He has good command and a good fastball, but needs to improve his secondaries to stay in the rotation.

Conclusion

The Tigers are built to win now and have holes that the Cubs can fill. Not only does Nate Schierholtz make sense for them, but Darwin Barney does as well. I don't think packaging both of them will get you a Robbie Ray or Jake Thompson. I do think Drew VerHagen and Jeff Thompson would be a solid return for that pair and, given the Tigers current roster construction, I think it's a price the Tigers could be willing to pay in order to add a few wins.