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If you think you’ve read this particular article before, you haven’t.
Although, you have undoubtedly read several trade proposals I’ve made here for Tyler Chatwood’s albatross of a contract.
Sonny Gray? Check. Not just once, I proposed this twice.
Bring back Wade Davis? Yeah, I had that idea too.
Russell Martin? The Cubs are supposedly looking for a veteran backup catcher. So why not?
Bullpen help? I suggested they deal for Mark Melancon.
Many of you didn’t like any of those ideas. Okay, I get that.
Late last week, Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors posted this list of “bad contracts” that conceivably could be swapped for one another. Yes, Chatwood’s deal is on that list. So is Martin’s, and so is Melancon’s. (Gray isn’t on the list because he’s not on a multi-year deal, he’s arbitration-eligible.)
There are some other interesting names on that list who could help the Cubs.
Zack Cozart signed a three-year, $38 million deal with the Angels before the 2018 season. Cozart’s 2018 season was ruined by both a shoulder and knee injury, though he is expected to be ready to return by spring training. Perhaps a swap of Chatwood and Addison Russell for Cozart?
If the Cubs really wanted to play Back to the Future, they could potentially swap Chatwood’s contract to the Giants for Jeff Samardzija. Shark has limited no-trade protection — he can select eight teams he’d approve a trade to. Presumably, he’d approve a deal back to his hometown. Shark’s remaining money ($36 million) is quite a bit more than Chatwood’s ($25 million), so the Giants would likely have to eat some of that.
How about Bryan Shaw? He has $19 million left on a two-year deal (that figure includes a $2 million buyout for 2021). Shaw had pretty good walk rates until last year in Colorado. He’s never been a closer before, but it’s possible he could be used to close games. Or he could fit the Jesse Chavez role, if he can get that walk rate back down.
Honestly, I still like my Russell Martin idea. Maybe the Cubs could get creative with the Blue Jays money-wise, since Chatwood has two years left on his deal and Martin just one (but Martin will make more than Chatwood in 2019).
I know what you’re going to say. “Chatwood can’t be traded until he shows he can stop walking so many hitters and get guys out.” And you might be right.
But any of those guys — and maybe some others on MLBTR’s list — could help the Cubs, and maybe Chatwood does better with a fresh start.
Just thought I’d throw this out for further discussion.
Poll
The Cubs should trade Tyler Chatwood for...
This poll is closed
-
8%
Zack Cozart
(131 votes) -
16%
Wade Davis
(241 votes) -
11%
Sonny Gray
(164 votes) -
13%
Russell Martin
(198 votes) -
5%
Mark Melancon
(77 votes) -
9%
Jeff Samardzija
(145 votes) -
2%
Bryan Shaw
(36 votes) -
1%
Someone else (leave in comments)
(23 votes) -
17%
... no one. They can’t deal him until he can throw strikes
(252 votes) -
14%
... no one. He’s going to bounce back and have a good year in 2019
(212 votes)