Evaluating the As-Cubs Trade

The good folks at Fangraphs provide a sound analysis of the recent As-Cubs trade. For that article, check out "The A's and Cubs Blockbuster Trade." 

From this Cubs fan perspective, I like the deal because from the looks of it, Addison Russell could be a great player and might make an impact at the MLB level fairly soon. 

The acquisition of Dan Straily and Billy McKinney doesn't impress, however. I would have liked to have seen Chicago acquire a stronger starting pitcher than Straily, but we'll see what happens with his career. What makes me hopeful about him is that his career WHIP is 1.25. His strikeout rate per 9 innings is a pedestrian 7.4, however. 

As for McKinney, he's so young that it's difficult to tell how he'll turn out as a MLB player. He could just be a Matt Murton type (a guy I always liked who didn't get enough playing time under Baker in my opinion) or someone who finally progresses well over the years like Josh Donaldson, who the Cubs traded not that long ago. 

I would like to see the Cubs have more strong pitching prospects in the system. However, in an offensively starved MLB, I like that fact that many of the Cubs' strongest prospects are position players: Javier Baez (SS, 3B, or OF), Kris Bryant (3B or OF), Arismendy Alcantara (2B), Albert Almora (OF), Jorge Soler (OF), and Kyle Schwarber (Catcher or OF). 

The key, of course, is that a number of them need to pan out.