(670 The Score) The Cubs are actively hunting for a front-line starter on the trade market.
The Cubs have been involved in trade discussions for Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow and Guardians right-hander Shane Bieber, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported Tuesday morning. It wasn’t immediately clear how advanced the conversations were, and there are a number of other teams in the mix as well.
The small-market Rays have made the 30-year-old Glasnow available as he’s owed $25 million in 2024, the final year of his contract. When healthy, Glasnow has been a standout performer, with a career 3.89 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 11.5 strikeout-per-nine-innings rate in eight MLB seasons.
Glasnow missed almost the entirety of the 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery. He posted a 3.53 ERA and 1.09 WHIP while striking out 162 batters in 120 innings across 21 starts in 2023.
Bieber, 28, had a 3.80 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while striking out 107 batters in 128 innings across 21 starts in 2023. Bieber has been a consistent performer. He was an All-Star in 2019, won the American League Cy Young award in 2020, was an All-Star again in 2021 and then posted a 2.88 ERA in 31 starts in 2022.
Bieber is arbitration-eligible and is projected to make $12.2 million in 2024, according to MLB Trade Rumors. He has one year of contract control left, then will be in line to hit free agency ahead of the 2025 season if he doesn’t reach an extension.