As a trading partner, the Cubs can take a trade of more guys of lesser prospect visibility (but similar talent) simply because they aren't as close to contending. Some of our younger 'spects like Maurer or Pike or Marlette may be worth more to them because they do have to wait on Almora, Baez, Soler, Vogelbach, and the rest of their stocked farm, so they can allow them to develop. On the other hand, they have top-flight prospect(s) in just about every place on the diamond.
I suspect that out of the Maurer, Pike, Diaz, Sanchez, Gohara, CSmith, Kohlscheen, Hunter, Leone, Colvin group of young arms there would be three or so of interest. Of the position guys, maybe Lopes or Marte would be of interest, but they're so stocked in the IF (and OF), I'd think the arms are more attractive. They need catching talent, but the Ms are thin there as well, but they'd probably ask for Marlette.
But we could match up pretty well without including Walker, Paxton, Zunino, or Miller, for sure. And Epstein has enough rep he doesn't have to get a "top-ranked" prospect as long has he gets the talent he wants. (EDIT: Note that Marlette is the #10 ranked Catcher on MLB.com !) If it were sure that Hicks was hobbled by injury last year and was going to come storming back, then I'd offer up Marlette, Pike, Sanchez, and Kohlscheen for Samardzija and laugh all the way to the ALDS. Or make that trade and then send Maurer or Erasmo to NY for J.R. Murphy.
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