Report: Yankees Have Talked To Cubs About Kyle Schwarber, Trade Still Unlikely

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The MLB offseason is officially underway, and rumors are swirling all around the league.

Some of the biggest free agents have already announced which teams they’ll be signing with, but there are still plenty of murmurings about possible trades, and other transactions, as clubs try and build their rosters before spring training draws near.

The Yankees likely aren’t done with their business yet, despite securing coveted ace Gerrit Cole on a contract that's reported to be a historic nine-year, $324 million deal.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Yankees have talked recently with the Cubs about a possible trade for Kyle Schwarber.

That’s a report that jumps off the page initially, but Rosenthal repeatedly points out in his story that the move is unlikely. He claims that the Yankees have been talking to Chicago about Schwarber since 2016 and nothing is imminent, saying: “at this moment there is no momentum, according to major-league sources, and chances are there will never be.”

Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs hits a three run home run in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on September 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Schwarber has spent the entirety of his career with the Cubs since he was called up to the big leagues in 2015. In 2019, he hit .250 with 38 home runs and 92 RBIs.

The 26-year-old would give Aaron Boone’s team another left-handed hitter to take advantage of right field at Yankee Stadium, but he could have trouble in left field. The American League might be a better fit for Schwarber, as he would be able to play DH to avoid his defensive shortcomings.

The Cubs are going through a bit of change as they transition from Joe Maddon to David Ross. Ross takes over at a franchise that Rosenthal says is “open to trading nearly every one of their players.”

Still, the report assumes the deal is unlikely because of the cost of acquiring a relatively young player like Schwarber, and because the Cubs still do have some hopes of contending in 2020.

Brett Gardner is apparently returning to the Bronx on a one-year deal. If Brian Cashman chooses to add more to the outfield, he could look elsewhere around the league if Schwarber isn’t a realistic possibility.