Milwaukee Brewers: Cubs in on Yu Darvish?

Both the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers are looking to boost their starting rotations this off season. Rumors have surfaced that the Cubs are sniffing around free agent starter Yu Darvish, and are waiting for the price to drop.

Yu Darvish is the top free agent acquisition available this year. If the Milwaukee Brewers sign him, they have a legit ace to lead their rotation into 2018. If the Chicago Cubs find a way to add Darvish, it means their championship window is wide open.

Why would the Cubs sign Darvish?

They’re known to need an ace and he’s the only one available on the free agent market. Lance Lynn is a capable starter, but he’s not a difference maker. Darvish has the ability to move the needle in the National League pennant race.

The Cubs are also looking to free agency because they lack the MLB-ready prospects teams would want in a potential deal. At least two of Kyle Schwarber, Javier Baez, and Ian Happ are necessary to acquire any of the top level starting pitchers available on the trade market. The Cubs don’t want to weaken their 25-man roster by flipping any of their young, controllable talent for an ace….yet.

Adding Darvish to a group that includes Jose Quintana, Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester, and Tyler Chatwood gives the Cubs one of the deeper rotations in the National League. Darvish would cost close to $30 million

Could the Brewers get in a bidding war?

It would be awesome to see the Brewers go toe-to-toe with the Cubs in a bidding war. However, they probably wouldn’t. At least, not this year.

The Milwaukee Brewers are still early in their rebuild. The team overachieved to 86 wins and made a legit run at a playoff spot for most of the season. However, their success was unexpected, and it’s clear that GM David Stearns isn’t going to sacrifice the long term future for short term gains. Signing Darvish wouldn’t fit in with the Brewers current time line for a return to the post season.

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The Milwaukee Brewers have kicked the tires on Yu Darvish, but their interest probably isn’t as serious as the Cubs is. While it would suck to see the Cubs add a top tier starter, it’s important to stay patient and trust that better days are ahead. The team is at the very beginning of a talent cycle. They’re set to compete with the Cubs when their veterans start to show their age. That’s when the Brewers will add larger contracts, not now.