Blockbuster 3-Team Trade Involving Cubs and White Sox Coming?

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly been in trade talks with the Seattle Mariners and this week Jon Morosi just so happened to name-drop them as a viable team to trade for White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet. So hey, how surprising would it be if these three teams hooked up to complete a blockbuster trade? Rumblings of a monster three-team trade are spreading on social media and I can say at the very least that this could be possible?

According to Jacob Zanolla, a prolific tweeter, founder of Ivy League Cubs and whether you've heard of him or not before, he has gotten a few Cubs scoops in the past. He was the first to report during the summer that the Cubs approached the Los Angeles Angels to gage interest on a trade for catcher Logan O'Hoppe. Anyway, you might be skeptical of the source, but all the pieces here make sense.

The Cubs are looking for another ace-type arm for their starting rotation, the White Sox have made it clear they will trade Crochet and the Cubs have engaged in trade talks with the Mariners this offseason. The asking price for Crochet is said to be sky-high and while the Cubs may not want to stomach the idea of trading three top-10 prospects from their farm system, what if that number goes down to two and the White Sox get that other big piece from the Mariners?

Several sources have indicated that the Chicago Cubs are currently in active negotiations with the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners on a potential three team trade. Nothing is imminent, but the Winter Meetings in Dallas could push it across the finish line.

— Jacob Zanolla (@jacobzanolla) December 5, 2024

Now, maybe this is all pure speculation, just guys connecting dots, but we know that the Cubs and Mariners have discussed a Nico Hoerner trade, so maybe it is easy to assume that in this scenario the Cubs send Hoerner to Seattle, the Mariners trade one of their top prospects to the White Sox and the White Sox send Crochet to the Cubs, who send a couple of top prospects back to the White Sox.

Chicago baseball reporter Bruce Levine said on Thursday that if the Cubs want Crochet, then they might have to deal Matt Shaw, Owen Caissie and James Triantos to get it done.

What are you thinking #Cubs fans? pic.twitter.com/HEzfZdRh3B

— Crawly's Cubs Kingdom (@crawlyscubs) December 5, 2024

I'm not going to pretend to have sources, but it does not seem like Matt Shaw is on the table for any trade this offseason. So, if the Cubs' top prospect is a no-go, you know the Cubs would still have to include two top minor leaguers plus and additional player or two for Crochet. Yet, maybe the Cubs don't want to give up so many top prospects and if they're already in talks with the Mariners, who don't want to trade any of their MLB starting pitchers, then make them pay with their farm system and you, as the Cubs, still get an ace in Crochet.

No matter what happens, if a trade does occur for a starting pitcher, it's going to hurt in one form or another for the Cubs. You see these free agent deals for pitchers? Crazy money for average pitchers, but arms are expensive. Acquiring Crochet may very well be worth giving up prospects you love.

We'll see if anything comes from these rumblings ahead of the Winter Meetings.