Now that the Chicago Cubs have won the battle, it’s time to consolidate that victory. The $80 million Cody Bellinger deal couldn’t have gone any better for the North Siders. Jed Hoyer’s strategy of staying firm in his stance ultimately proved to be the winning one. But now one fact has come up – the Cubs’ 40-man roster is full, implying someone else would need to be removed to make space.

Baseball circles have been rife with speculations regarding who the Cubs will trade. Names like Patrick Wisdom have made rounds. According to The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, – “It’s likely that to make space on the roster, a pitcher will be moved.” Naturally, it has sent the internet buzzing regarding who that may be.

The Cubs currently do have an oversupply of pitchers on their roster. So trading away won’t affect them as much as letting go of a position player would. While many pitchers could be on the trading block, one name has gotten more traction than others: 28-year-old pitcher Keegan Thompson.

The reasons are quite simple – Thompson’s future in the North Side doesn’t look quite as bright as it did after the 2022 season. That was supposedly his breakout year with a 10-5 record. However, 2023 proved to be a massive regression for Thompson. From 115 innings in 2022, he slipped to a mere 28.2 in 2023. 

This offseason, the Cubs have brought in Shota Imanaga to the mix as well. This has made Thompson’s chances of a revival quite slim. So it makes sense that he might be the prime candidate for a trade. Luckily for Thompson, there might be someone who has his eyes set on him.

Read more: Breaking Down Cody Bellinger’s Injury Troubles That Scared Off Long-Term Bids

Former Chicago Cubs’ Pitching Director could give the pitcher a platform 

Boston Red Sox’s need for a pitcher has been the talk of this offseason. While they are linked with Jordan Montgomery, the Sox’s tight budget makes it a tough endeavor for them. This is where the Cubs and Keegan Thompson come into the picture. The Sox’s President of Baseball Operations Craig Breslow was the Cubs’ Pitching Director till 2023. He might have his eyes set on at least some of the Cubs’ pitching.

The fact that Thompson is just 28 is like the cherry on top. The Red Sox’s budgetary issues plus the Cubs’ desperate need for a trade could turn this connection into a match made in heaven. Until then, it’s just a wait-and-watch situation for fans of both franchises.

Read more: Cody Bellinger Deal Opens Floodgates for ‘Bridge Contracts’ With Remaining Scott Boras Free Agents