According to a report from Jon Heyman, the Cubs and Marlins could discuss trading prospects this winter. Heyman points to the depth of position players and the lack of pitching in the Cubs system as the reason the two organizations might be able to work out a trade.
Heyman assumes the Marlins would be interested in Javier Baez and Kris Bryant “since they are infielders.” Heyman points out Bryant “may be nearly untouchable” but fails to mention Bryant cannot be traded this winter. And Albert Almora, being from Miami, might interest the Marlins.
According to Heyman, the Marlins have a “quite impressive” list of young pitchers in their system behind Jacob Turner, Nate Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez. LHP Andrew Heaney (22 years old), LHP Justin Nicolino (22 years old), LHP Adam Conley (23 years old), RHP Jose Urena (22 years old) and LHP Brian Flynn (23 years old).
While the pitching prospects in the Cubs’ system are behind the position players in terms of volume, the Cubs have better pitching prospects than they are given credit for. Plus, as Theo Epstein admitted, the front office is not naive enough to think all of the prospects are going to reach their projections. Having depth in the system and not having to depend on one or two players is a luxury the Cubs have not had in many years.
As Heyman correctly stated, trading prospects for prospects “carry a big risk.”
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