I think I'd at least listen on Davis but I'm not sure there's a deal out there that makes much sense. Of the 10 worst BP's based on fWAR only Washington, Colorado, Atlanta and Tampa are contenders. Washington has almost no system left other than Robbles. They need someone like davis but seems like a tough trade to make happen for them. Colorado I have a hard time believing they buy. Same goes for Tampa. Atlanta if they want to get frisky could be interesting. They have pitching for days and also some interesting position players. But I think if you're going to entertain the idea of trading Davis you have to get Chapman/Miller type return. And there's not a lot of elite pitching of a similar value to Frazier/Torres. So, you'd likely have to be willing to take higher tier positional prospects with secondary piece being pitching.
I'd also consider making a bold move with Baez. I'm not 100% what that sort of trade would be but I feel like part of the cubs problem is they are essentially trying to play 3 2B's every day with Zobrist Happ and Baez. That leads to weird stuff like Almora never seeing playing time. Atlanta again could be an interesting case here. Right now they have brandon Phillips at 2B. They also have moved Freeman to 3B to get Matt Adams in the line up. Swanson is clearly their future but he's not hitting this year(.224/.299/.329). Presumably Ozzie Albies is their future replacement for Phillips and Kevin Maitan is their future 3B.
I think there's a number of interesting combos you could put together for a Baez/Davis deal. But even if you'd rather keep Baez think one of him or Happ needs to be moved. I'd keep Russell because I think he's a better hitter and more stable defender than Baez. I'd probably offer either straight up for Gray. I'd also probably offer up either with Jiminez and lessor pieces for Archer.
The thing with Baez and the Cubs is they have no back up SS. Happ and Zobrist are basically the same defender. Neither are a SS. So they would have to cover back up SS before they even considered trading Baez.
That is why the whole MLBR on Profar caught my attention. He has really never grabbed on with Tex. But the talent is there. He is a SH and for a middle of the diamond type that is a nice perk.
Makes me think
Profar 2B
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Happ CF
Schwarber LF
Contreras C
Howard RF
Russell SS
This also puts Profar in as the back up SS. This also pushes Zobrist to the bench.
The bench would be:
Zobrist
Jay
Almora
Caritani
That way they can keep 13 pitchers and really not lose anything from the bench.
Now this opens up Baez for a mega deal. Davis I would hold and try to extend. There is most likely a deal to be made here.
The deal I'm thinking of is Profar for Underwood and Black or Johnson let Tex finish up their development and give them a shot at making it.
Then ain for Stroman. The more I think about it he is a solid target. Baez would carry about half of the trade weight needed to pull off the deal. They have Ryan Goins starting at 2B....ya Baez becomes the starter today there.
After that they need pitching. It would take 2 guys. Clifton would be a easy sale. Hudson is starting to look intriguing right now and would be another marketable arm.
The point in marketing Baez is to keep Eloy and Cease off the table. Tor really doesn't need another RH power bat. That is the team. They honestly would be better off adding some LH bats for balance. pitching they really lack a true ace. So they may end up looking another direction to add a lefthanded bat for 2B and Tor prospect to headline that trade.
At the end of the day I wouldn't trade Cease, Tseng or Alzolay. DeLaCruz has been injured sense June 1. I really don't see teams wanting to deal for injured goods.
Roster wise Baez makes the most sense. He has superstar impact and honestly just needs playing time and good marketing.
