The Chicago Cubs have been involved in plenty of trade rumors since the start of the Winter Meetings.
But while third baseman Kris Bryant and catcher Willson Contreras have been the two names tossed around most often, teams are also interested in one of Chicago's top arms.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that Cubs brass received trade inquiries on right-hander Yu Darvish throughout the course of their time in San Diego.
The Cubs also received inquiries on Yu Darvish, who has four years at $81 million remaining. Perhaps when the best of the remaining free-agent starters vanish, Chicago will hear steadier requests for the righty.
Darvish was Chicago's ace during the second half of the 2019 season, going 4-4 with a 2.76 ERA and a dazzling 0.808 WHIP in 13 starts after the All-Star break. The 33-year-old from Habikino, Japan also posted a 13.0 K/9 during that span.
The Cubs are unlikely to give up on Darvish given that they already have a hole in their rotation left by Cole Hamels, who signed with the Atlanta Braves last week.
However, trading Darvish would certainly solve some of Chicago's current payroll issues. The Cubs signed Darvish to a six-year, $126 million contract prior to the 2018 season, and he still has four years and $81 million left on that deal.
The market is still saturated with a number of teams in need of starting pitching, and other high-priced starters (like Boston's David Price) are likely to be moved before the start of the season. So it makes sense that other teams would want Darvish.
Perhaps, as Sherman indicates, the Cubs will rethink their position in July.
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