What could the Rangers get for Yu Darvish?

The Chicago Cubs

After winning their first World Series in 108 years, the Cubs spent the majority of the first half hovering around .500, striking panic in hearts of Cubs fans who started watching baseball last October.

No worries Patriots, Cubs, and Warriors fans, it appears their World Series hangover is finally over. The Cubs are a baseball best 8-2 in their last ten games and find themselves just a half game out of first place in the NL Central.

Despite acquiring Jose Quintana from the White Sox a week ago, Jon Morosi has reported that the Cubs are interested in Darvish.

Out of all the potential suitors, the Cubs have the least to offer which is surprising considering their consistently strong farm system. But recent acquisitions and call-ups leave the Cubs with one top-100 prospect, Jeimer Candelario, an infielder in which the Rangers already have a surplus.

But what the Cubs lack in their farm system they make up for with young Major League talent.

Kyle Schwarber could be an option, but he’s a defensive liability and the Rangers already have a left handed hitter who either strikes out or homers. A deal for Darvish would have to be centered around either Albert Almora or Ian Happ.

Happ was the team’s number one prospect heading into 2017 while Almora was the number three prospect before making his debut in 2016.

Both could fill the huge hole in center field both now and in the future for the Rangers, but with Happ performing well and Almora being the better defensive center fielder, Almora makes the most sense for both teams.

Possible return – OF Albert Almora, RHP Jen Ho-Tseng, RHP Alec Mills