Chicago Cubs blog proposes a trade that would never work for the Blue Jays

Cubbies Crib, the Chicago Cubs blog here at the FanSided Network, recently posted an article suggesting that the Cubs should swing a trade for Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman.

Before we begin the roast, let me begin by saying that there's virtually no chance that Chapman is even available in trade talks. With the Blue Jays firmly in the middle of their contention window, trading away one of the best defenders in the game and one of the most well-liked players on the club isn't the move.

Here is the deal that was proposed, let me know your thoughts on this.

Toronto Blue Jays receive: RHP Adbert Alzolay, OF Nelson Velázquez

Chicago Cubs receive: 3B Matt Chapman

Everyone knows what Chapman brings to the table, his loss would be a massive one to this club and fanbase. The 29-year-old remains a defensive phenom and while his .229 batting average last year isn't pretty, he still hit 27 home runs and posted an OPS+ of 115 along the way.

Having someone like Chapman being a ball magnet on the left side of the infield is invaluable for a club like the Blue Jays, who have Bo Bichette and his well-below-average throwing arm right next to him on the dirt.

Let's turn our attention to the pieces the Cubs would give up in this deal, which come nowhere close to what the Jays would take in return for Chapman.

Alzolay, 27, has received playing time in the bigs in each of the last four seasons and has yet to show any sustained success at the game's highest level. 2021 was the most action he got in the bigs and he went 5-13 with a 4.58 ERA and 92 ERA+, surrendering a whopping 25 home runs in 125 innings.

Purely from an outsider's point of view, it has seemed like the Cubs have never been very high on Alzolay. He's never gotten much of a look for the club outside of that 2021 season and especially hasn't capitalized on any opportunities he's been given. It's no surprise that Cubs fans like Michael (who wrote the Cubs article) want to get out from underneath him.

Then there's Velázquez, a 24-year-old outfielder who just got his first taste of big league action this past season. In 77 games for the Cubbies, Velázquez hit six home runs and had an average of .205 with an 85 OPS+. He also struck out in just under 32 percent of his plate appearances and seems to have struggled with punchouts throughout his ascendancy to the bigs.

Both players the Jays would land in this deal come with some pretty significant faults. Alzolay can't show any consistent success and Velázquez has a strikeout problem. Unless the Cubs add quite a bit more value here, there is no deal to be had.