The Chicago Cubs failed to reach the postseason in 2024 after hiring Craig Counsell. They could look to make a trade to get their rotation even stronger before Opening Day in 2025.

While outlining potential trade packages for Chicago White Sox star Garrett Crochet, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller proposed this trade that brings Crochet to Chicago:

"The Cubs certainly have the prospect capital needed to make something happen here. While they don't have a top-20 overall prospect, the Baby Bears do have eight of MLB.com's top 100 prospects," wrote Miller. "If they're willing to flip two of them for Crochet, the Cubs would arguably supplant the Seattle Mariners as the top rotation heading into 2025."

Cassie, Rojas and McCullough are all top 30 prospects in the Cubs system. The White Sox are headed for a long rebuild and three young talents could go a long way. USA Today's Bob Nightengale noted in September that the White Sox are likely to deal Crochet.

"White Sox starter Garrett Crochet says he's interested in signing a long-term contract extension, but the White Sox still fully intend to trade him this winter, with the Philadelphia Phillies among the teams expressing interest," wrote Nightengale.

The Cubs will clearly not be the only team looking to add Crochet. Crochet is arbitration-eligible in 2025 and 2026. He was named an All-Star in his first year as a starter in 2024. He made 32 starts with a 3.58 ERA.

"There are better aces out there than Steele/Crochet, but Imanaga as a No. 3 starter, Taillon at No. 4 and Assad as the fifth cog in the machine? That would make them the team to beat in the NL Central if they aren't already," wrote Miller.