Michael Busch is a fantastic prospect that the Chicago Cubs have at their disposal.
In a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cubs obtained both Busch and reliever Yency Almonte last week. Prospects Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris were traded by the Cubs.
Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations for the Cubs, stated that Busch fills a need. Previously ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect by MLB.com, Busch is currently the Cubs’ No. 3 prospect.
Busch had a cup of coffee with the Dodgers last season, playing in 27 games and batting .247 with seven RBI and two home runs. Although Hoyer stated that manager Craig Counsell will decide where Busch plays, the most of his playing was done on the corners last season, with four games at first base and nine at third base.
The Cubs have openly expressed their desire to give Christopher Morel playing time at first base. Now that Jeimer Candelario is out of the picture, third base is also open.
That gives some background on the transaction, in which the Dodgers selected a player in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft, and the Cubs acquired him. The youngster blasted 79 home runs in the minor leagues. He was able to fill any role.
This is when it gets interesting. When it came to moving Busch, the Dodgers didn’t always think about the Cubs first. It turns out that the Cubs’ crosstown rival was their first pick.
The Dodgers courted Yoshinobu Yamamoto while searching for pitching through trade. Tyler Glasnow was acquired by the Dodgers from the Tampa Bay Rays.
However, Dylan Cease of the White Sox was another pitcher whom the Dodgers were reportedly interested in, according to The Athletic.
Busch was one of the players the Dodgers showed the White Sox during those discussions, but they were not interested.
It raises the issue of what precisely the White Sox are searching for if they are unable to bite on a deal involving Busch.
In the meantime, the Cubs acquired a few prospects who weren’t in the Top 30 that may provide them with assistance at both corners. Whatever angle you take, that is an excellent value.
In any other year that didn’t include three monsters like Ronald Acuna Jr., Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, Cody Bellinger would have been vying for the National League MVP title.
With a solid bat, he was a major factor in the Cubs being on the verge of making the playoffs last season.307/.356/.525 line, 26 home runs, 97 RBI, and a .881 OPS.
In addition, he played his typical strong defence in centre field, a position of great importance, and stole 20 bases just to be safe.
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