What a difference a year makes.

Last June, the Yankees were headed toward becoming major trade deadline sellers -- with the Chicago Cubs looming as the team with the right farm system to make a deal work.

Now the current Yankees look like the real deal, with reinforcements in the system -- thanks in part to the deal that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs for Gleyber Torres.

While Torres could be the perfect summer addition to the 2017 Yankees, he wasn't the most-talked-about Cubs youngster last June and July. That title belonged to slugger Kyle Schwarber, a player Chicago refused to trade for Chapman.

According to two MLB insiders, the Cubs might want a do-over on that thought -- and brought up the idea of New York and Chicago reconnecting on a Schwarber deal.

On a recent episode of ESPN's Baseball Tonight podcast, host Buster Olney and guest Keith Law talked about how -- with the benefit of hindsight -- the Cubs would probably like to switch the price tag on last year's Chapman deal. Instead of giving up Torres, surrendering the struggling Schwarber (.167, 10 HR, 71 SO) could have been the smarter play.

As for the idea of Schwarber and his power bat eventually ending up in the Bronx? Don't rule it out.

Olney: If I was in the Yankees' shoes -- if you get the sense at all the Cubs are willing to talk about Schwarber -- I would be all over that. And I'm not talking about Torres (going back). I'm talking about another prospect or something else, because Schwarber in Yankee Stadium would be something else.

Law: Yeah, because he can hit. I understand he's had a rough start. I don't know anyone that's given up on him. That's not the issue. He's had a rough start. His knees may not be 100 percent and he needs to not play left field. He's a first base, DH-type. The Yankees could use him there. I wonder what the Cubs would be looking for. Could they get a couple arms? Maybe they could line up with a couple of arms going back for Schwarber.

With Matt Holliday only signed through 2017, the Yankees could be in the market again for a DH soon.

Imagine a middle of the order in 2018 with Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Schwarber. Now we're talking about crazy power in the Bronx.

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.