With the rise of Ryan Kalish, Cubs outfielder Nate Schierholtz may want to call a moving company as he appears to be on the trading block, according to statements made by MLB Network and Fox Sports 1's Jon Morosi.
Nate Schierholtz trade rumors: Ryan Kalish might force Cubs’ hand
With the rise of former Red Sox prospect Ryan Kalish, Cubs outfielder Nate Schierholtz appears to be on the trading block for Theo Epstein-led front office, according to reports.
Brian Kersey
Kalish is a former prospect for the Red Sox and a favorite of a Chicago front office led by Theo Epstein, he of the two World Series championships in Boston. And while Kalish hasn't exactly set the world on fire, he projects to be a much more valuable piece as the team tries to build itself into a perennial contender than does the serviceable Schierholtz.
With a loaded Cubs outfield blocking Kalish's advancement, it seems that the 30-year-old Schierholtz will be the odd man as the team plans its every day lineup. This decision has significantly more to do with the state of the Cubs than the quality of Schierholtz's play, however: the left fielder is coming off easily his best season from a power perspective -- the 21 HRs he hit last year account for a whopping 47% of his career total. And while he's struggled against left-handed pitchers, he's clearly valuable to any team looking for a solid bat against right-handed pitchers, which may or may not include the Tigers according to Morosi.
More from our team sites
More from our team sites
But such things are a luxury for the Cubs, who are in the midst of yet another rebuilding process. They are coming off a season where they finished at least 30 games under .500 for the second consecutive time, as part of an longer string of near-and-actually last place finishes that extends back to the 2010 season. The new regime has completely overhauled the team, remaking it in the image of Epstein, with a focus on analytics and process that helped turned the Red Sox from perennial disappointment to perennial title contender (at least when Bobby Valentine’s not in town.)
It remains to be seen whether or not Epstein’s overhaul will actually do anything to overcome the curse of the Billy Goat, but with Schierholtz’s value to the Cubs at an all-time low and his value as a player at an all-time high, it’s clear that now is the best time to move the former World Series champion. Where, when and for whom is anyone’s guess, but given the Cubs’ history, they may want to consider trying to pick up an exorcist who can pitch out of the bullpen.
See More:
