Let’s switch gears for a moment from the series I’ve been writing about potential free agent signings for the Cubs to a potential trade target, Angels left-hander Reid Detmers.
The Cubs came close enough to dealing for Detmers at the deadline last summer:
Well, you all know that didn’t happen. Instead, the Cubs sent Moisés Ballesteros and minor leaguer Mason McGwire to the Angels for
Ryan Zeferjahn. This could eventually turn out to be a useful deal; Zeferjahn clearly has talent, is not arb-eligible until 2028, and is under team control for four more seasons.
Here, per one report, is what the Cubs would have given up for Detmers (with Zeferjahn also included):
As you know, Jefferson Rojas wound up going to the Mets in the deal that brought Clay Holmes to the Cubs. That could still be worth doing if the Cubs re-sign Holmes, which is certainly possible.
Apparently the reason this deal fell through was that the Angels didn’t like the medical reports they received on Jaxon Wiggins. You likely also know this too, as Wiggins has been injured much of the time he’s been in the Cubs system. He made 22 appearances (11 starts) in 2026 and posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.781 WHIP in only 42.2 innings, with 50 strikeouts (which is good!) and 34 walks (which is not good!).
Wiggins, the Cubs’ second-round pick out of the University of Arkansas in 2023, turned 25 in October. To count on him in 2027 is not something the Cubs should do. Detmers is only two years older and has already thrown 634.2 major league innings, and is under team control for two more years.
So with Ballesteros, Rojas and McGwire already gone, and Wiggins probably not tradeable, who could the Cubs send to Anaheim to acquire Detmers?
For one thing, I would put the Cubs’ top three prospects (per MLB Pipeline) off limits — no trading Josiah Hartshorn, Owen Ayers or Ethan Conrad. Perhaps the Angels could be enticed to take Javier Assad as part of a deal like this — he has significant MLB starting experience. You might have to throw in Brooks Caple or someone like him. Would the Angels be interested in Matt Shaw?
I’m just spitballing here — given that the Angels have new ownership and management since the Detmers deal fell through in August, maybe they don’t want to trade him at all.
But I think the Cubs should look into this again.
