Cubs Interested In Trading For … Corbin Burnes?!

Early today, Jesse Rogers dropped a substantial ESPN article providing the most recent update on the Chicago Cubs offseason, full of rumors, plans, and possibilities. You don’t want to miss this. I’m still processing it all, but I wanted to quickly touch on something that stood out to me. It’s known that the Cubs are looking to add a starting pitcher or two this offseason, and acquiring a top-quality arm is a priority. There’s a possibility that the Brewers might consider trading some players due to the state of their team and potential upcoming free agency losses.

However, the connection between the Cubs and Milwaukee starter Corbin Burnes, as reported by Rogers, came as a surprise:

“They also have an eye on Milwaukee starter Corbin Burnes, in case the Brewers begin to subtract — and Milwaukee is willing to trade with the team that just pilfered its manager.”

The fact that the Cubs are considering Burnes as a trade possibility is intriguing. When thinking about the Cubs adding an ace-type arm with one year left before free agency, I had been focusing on Tyler Glasnow. Burnes was not on my radar, partly due to the uncertainty of the Brewers trading him and the potential fallout from such a high-caliber trade, particularly in light of the recent managerial move by the Brewers, as noted by Rogers.

Additionally, Burnes had a less impressive season this year, which might affect his trade appeal. While having him on the Cubs would be desirable, the trade-offs might not be worth it in the long run. But this rumor does carry weight.

Essentially, the key point here is less about Corbin Burnes specifically and more about the Cubs’ interest in adding a pitcher of his caliber through either a trade or free agency for their 2024 push. It demonstrates their willingness to make strategic moves to strengthen the team.