I know it’s still early in the offseason, but at this point I think most Chicago Cubs fans can agree that Jed Hoyer and the front office aren’t breaking the bank to sign a free agent.
Hoyer is probably going to continue his “dollar bin shopping spree,” signing players at cheap deals in hopes to turn them into something bigger. But as far as signing a guy off the market for a large price, that’s not happening. And yes, I know Alex Bregman is still on the market, but do we really believe Jed is picking up the phone and making a deal? I doubt it.
However, there is still a way for Jed and the front office to win the offseason with one move. An ultimate blockbuster trade that would solve all the Cubs’ needs.
And don’t worry, there is a team out there that has all of the solutions. A team out west that’s struggling internally right now between its owners involving a lawsuit. A team that’s stuck with large contract after large contract that, in my opinion, could eventually sell in the next few years.
I’m talking about the San Diego Padres.
Story continues below.
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I know, the Padres just completed a deal to bring back right-hander Michael King, but I honestly think their front office still wants to lower the payroll.
For this trade to be completed the Cubs would most definitely have to empty a major part of the farm. Guys like Owen Cassie, Moises Ballesteros, and Kevin Alcantara could possibly be on the move, but trust me when I say the return would be great. So, without further ado, here are the pieces the Cubs should take from the Padres.
Mason Miller
Sep 26, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Mason Miller (22) celebrates during the eighth inning Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Padres reliver Mason Miller would be the perfect back-end piece to a Cubs bullpen that was very productive last season.
Daniel Palencia was a nice surprise closer for the Cubs early on, but struggled a little in the second half. Brad Keller, Andrew Kittredge, and Drew Pomeranz were solid, but all three have signed deals with new teams.
Insert Miller.
Coming over to the Padres via trade from the Athletics in the middle of last season, Miller had 20 saves in his first 38 games.
Settling into a setup man role with the Padres, thanks to closer Robert Suarez already slated as the Padres closer, Miller posted a 0.77 ERA in 22 games with 45 strikeouts in 23.1 innings pitched. He gave up just five home runs and 10 walks in 2025 and held opposing hitters to just a .139 batting average.
Averaging a 101.2 velocity on his fastball mixed with a filthy boomerang for a slider, it’s no surprise Miller had the success he did in 2025. He would be an easy closer fit for the Cubs.
Speaking of pitching…
Nick Pivetta
Sep 17, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (27) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
For the last three years, the Cubs have had the same issue within the final month of season: the starting pitching ran out of gas.
Whether it was pitchers being placed on the IL in September, or guys just clearly reaching their innings limits, it’s obvious the rotation could have used an extra arm (or two) by season end.
Last year was no different. Lefty Matthew Boyd, for example, kicked off his 2025 season on a hot note, earning himself his first All-Star selection of his career. Unfortunately, his second half wasn’t so great, but that could be because 2025 was the first year he made over 15 appearances since 2019. He was also coming off a 2024 season in which he did not appear until the final month of the season. He was exhausted.
Throw in the fact that left-hander Justin Steele was out most of the season due to an arm injury, and Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon dealt with injuries early on as well. It’s clear that the rotation could have used an extra arm.
Insert Nick Pivetta.
Don’t get me wrong, the Cubs could really use a bonafied, ace-type arm. A swing-and-miss kind of pitcher. But a guy like Pivetta could be more of Hoyer’s type.
Pivetta struggled early on in his career with both the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, but last season with the Padres something clicked. In 31 starts he posted a 2.87 ERA with 190 strikeouts, a 0.985 WHIP, a 149 ERA+, a 33.3 ground ball percentage, and held hitters to a .195 average in 181.2 innings. His efforts earned him a top-ten NL Cy Young finish.
Entering a free agent year in 2026, barring an opt-in after the season, Pivetta’s cost may be cheaper than an arm on the market, which is Hoyer’s M.O. Owed just over $20 million next year, it’s a contract that should be affordable for Jed and Tom Ricketts.
Speaking of affordable contracts…
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Sep 21, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) hits a single against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
I figured I would save the best for the last.
It’s no secret that the Cubs’ spark in their offense last season could be due to the presence of Kyle Tucker in the lineup. Key word: presence.
From the looks of it, Tucker is taking his talents elsewhere, which means the Cubs are short a “presence” in the lineup.
Insert Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr.
Yea I get it, why on earth would the Padres’ front office agree to trade their young superstar? Simple: the Cubs have enough controllable, talented prospects to sweeten the deal. And, thanks to the lawsuit that the Padres late owner’s widow is dealing with right now, she may want to take some money off of their books.
Don’t get me wrong, if I’m the Padres front office I’d much rather try to get rid of Manny Machado or Xander Bogart’s large contracts, but those may be harder to deal. Offer a nice package of controllable prospects such as Cassie and others and bingo, the Cubs have their presence in the lineup back in Tatis.
Say what you want about Tatis being a PED guy, but ever since he returned from suspension in early 2023, he’s been nothing short of an All-Star. From 2023 to 2025 he averaged 29 home runs, 81 RBI, 33 doubles, a .266 batting average, and an .803 OPS per 162 games. He earned two All-Star selections, and both of his Gold Glove Awards each turned into Platinum Glove Awards.
It’s obvious: Fernando Tatis Jr. strives in the spotlight, and what better spotlight would there be than for the Dominican native to play his home games at Wrigley Field for the next decade? Not only would he fill the void for presence needed in the Cubs’ lineup, but he would easily slot himself in as the superstar of the team and help take the pressure off young players like Pete Crow-Armstrong. Not to mention, adding a Platinum Glove to a group of Gold Glovers only makes this team even better defensively.
Tatis Jr. is owed less than $300 million for the next nine years, which is an absolute steal. However, that would mean goodbye to players such as Cassie, Alcantara, Ballesteros, and maybe even Matt Shaw.
For a blockbuster package that would include nine years of Tatis Jr., one year of Pivetta, and four years of Miller, it’s worth it for Jed Hoyer to trade a lot of the Cubs’ farm. Also, it’s affordable enough for Tom Ricketts’ to not have to cry “broke” for.
Christmas is the season of perpetual hope, at least that’s what Mrs. McCallister once said in Home Alone. And this Christmas I’m hoping, I’m begging, and I’m pleading for Hoyer and Ricketts to listen to my Christmas wish and make this groundbreaking deal that would solve all their needs.