San Diego Padres Explore Trade With The Chicago Cubs For Yu Darvish

By Jordan Long

The Chicago Cubs are coming off a 34-26 season.  They won the National League Central Division but were swept in the Wild Card Series by the Miami Marlins.  They could be rebuilding the team and one player who might be on his way out is pitcher Yu Darvish.

                Darvish has been with the Chicago Cubs for the last 3 years.  Last season, Darvish finally was the pitcher the Cubs thought they had signed in the 2017 offseason.  He had a record of 8-3 with a 2.01 ERA. The ERA was the lowest of his career. Darvish was locating his pitches.  Batters were swinging and missing for strikeouts with 93.  He didn’t give up many walks with 14. He gave up 5 home runs.

                For his work in the regular season, Darvish was up for the CY Young Award.  He ended up finishing behind Trevor Bauer.  Bauer took home the award even though his record was worse at 5-4.  His ERA was 1.73.

                The Cubs may be looking to unload Darvish’s salary.  Darvish is owed $22 million this year, $19 million in 2022, and $18 million in 2023 before he hits free agency.  Trading Darvish would free up money for free agents in those off seasons.

                One team that could be interested is the San Diego Padres.  The Padres reached the postseason with a 37-23 record.  They beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card Series before falling to the L.A. Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

                The Padres are a team on the rise and are looking to win now.  They have a team that will be great for years to come.  Their lineup includes Eric Hosmer, Wil Myers, and Manny Machado.  In their pitching rotation, Dinelson Lamet is their ace.  After that, it isn’t great.  Darvish can be the second pitcher in the rotation which could help the Padres make a deeper run in the postseason.

                Padres’ General Manager A.J. Preller is familiar with Darvish.  He spent time with the Texas Rangers until 2014. Darvish was there for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

                The Cubs have to figure out if it is worth letting Darvish go.  If they do, they will have a major hole in the rotation.  Chicago will do what is best for the franchise moving forward.