Chicago Cubs linked to New York Yankees in desperate trade proposal

The Chicago Cubs took a couple of serious gut shots this week that threaten to break apart hope for a championship run before the year even gets into full swing.

More News: Chicago Cubs’ emergency Plan B may have them re-exploring trade for this ace

The biggest load of bad news, of course, came with the injury of projected ace Cade Horton. The 24-year-old 2022 first round draft pick left his last start in the second inning and was subsequently diagnosed with a serious UCL injury that will require season-ending elbow surgery. After a scorching second half of 2025, Horton was expected to be a dominant presence in the Cubs rotation.

Then, just a day after Horton was officially placed on the IL, Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd was also placed on the IL with a left biceps strain. The Cubs are talking very optimistically about Boyd’s return after his 15-day IL stint, but injuries are unpredictable, especially for a veteran pitcher with a long history of injury, like Boyd.

It’s understandable that the loss of the team’s two top starters would send fans into panic mode and, also, push media into a dive to explore outside pitching help.

The Cubs have already been tied to still-available free agent Lucas Giolito and Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara. The latest buzz centers around the New York Yankees and a proposed trade that would have starter Luis Gil swapping Yankees pinstripes for Cubs pinstripes.

Trade proposal for pitching help

More News: Should tough luck Chicago Cubs brace for more bad news regarding Matthew Boyd?

The 27-year-old Gil started the year in the minors, mostly due to the Yankees’ decision to use a four-man rotation early in the season, but is expected to be back in the majors soon. The righty has been hobbled by injury-related issues over the last couple years, but, when healthy, he’s a stud. His career tally over four seasons is 20-9 with a 3.50 ERA in 242 big league innings. He’s also under team control through the 2028 season.

In New York, the feeling is that he’s lost in the mix of high-end starting pitching and would, therefore, be considered expendable—if the right deal came along.

Jake Elman of Fansided is one of those who believes that a Yankees-Cubs trade for Gil is plausible if not logical:

“Why would the Yankees, who are off to a scorching start and are widely viewed as a legitimate World Series contender, trade a proven middle-of-the-rotation starter who is under team control?

Easy: The Yankees have awful judgment when it comes to their young players.

The Yankees can say whatever they want about how much they believe in Gil. I personally wouldn’t be shocked if they view him as expendable.

…The Yankees mishandled the Jasson Domínguez situation, and I expect them to do the same with Gil. This would likely cost the Cubs at least one top-30 prospect, but all would be forgiven if Gil helps bring a title back to the North Side.”

The cost of acquiring the Yankees starter

But what would getting Gil cost the Cubs?

TJ French of Heavy.com thinks that the Yankees, who have a legit shot at a championship this season, might ask for young, majors-ready talent in the swap:

“You would have to think the Yankees would want another player under team control for several years in return, so Matt Shaw could be the centerpiece of a return package, but New York may also ask for Ben Brown, who is a young reliever with some quality traits as a potential impact arm.”

It kind of makes sense. Shaw is someone who could be immediately plugged into the lineup somewhere and could even be used in the super utility role he currently plays for the Cubs. Brown, meanwhile, is a project with a solid upside who makes for a more comfortable fit in the Yankees bullpen.

Even if this Yankees trade idea goes nowhere beyond website fantasy talk, there’s no denying that the Cubs may need to explore outside-the-organization options if they still aim to make a serious postseason run this year.

The post Chicago Cubs linked to New York Yankees in desperate trade proposal appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-new-york-yankees-trade-luis-gil/