Just In: Cubs To Be Sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline

July 24, 2024 Admin MLB 0
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The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Chicago Cubs appear to have made their choice regarding their next steps.

Currently, the Cubs are five games below .500 and 4.5 games out of an NL Wild Card spot. With such proximity to a playoff position, many teams would aim to remain competitive.

 

A look at the Cubs' playoff odds with one series before the All-Star break - Bleed Cubbie Blue

 

However, it seems the Cubs are taking a different path. Jed Hoyer, the team’s president of baseball operations, has essentially confirmed that the Cubs will be sellers at the trade deadline.

Despite this, the Cubs will not engage in a complete fire sale. They still possess several talented players under team control and will demand substantial returns if they decide to trade them.

This strategy aligns with their plans to contend in 2025, as they are open to trading players on short-term contracts for prospects that can contribute in the future.

Chicago Cubs: Most Likely Trade Chips

Drew Smyly is the first player that comes to mind. Smyly is having a solid season for the Cubs, working exclusively out of the bullpen.

The left-hander has posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a .228 opponent batting average over 38.2 innings pitched this season. He has also held opponents to a barrel percentage of just 5.4%, indicating he generates a lot of weak contact. Smyly, 35, has a mutual option for next season in his contract. If the team decides to let him go this fall, they will owe him a $2.5 million buyout.

Hector Neris was the Cubs’ major bullpen signing this offseason. He is on a one-year contract with a club option for 2025, which becomes a player option if Neris meets one of two sets of conditions.

Neris had a slow start to the season but has been exceptional since June 22. In that time, he has made nine appearances, allowing no runs, just five hits, and striking out 12. He could be a valuable asset for a team aiming for a playoff run.

Cody Bellinger is another Cub who might be traded at the deadline. Bellinger signed a three-year contract with Chicago in the offseason, but his deal includes player opt-outs after 2024 and 2025. This, along with his salary, could make teams hesitant to trade for him.

Bellinger is currently dealing with a fractured finger. However, he plays strong defense at both first base and in the outfield. He was batting .269 with a .742 OPS and nine home runs through 79 games.

If teams believe he will recover quickly from his injury, Bellinger could be traded next week.

Chicago Cubs: More Trade Candidates To Keep an Eye On

The Cubs have several players likely to stay with the team, but they could still be traded by July 30.

Nico Hoerner’s name has been mentioned. Jon Morosi of MLB Network suggested the Cubs should consider trading him. Hoerner has another year of team control and is a Gold Glove second baseman who can also play shortstop. He’s an excellent contact hitter.

Though Hoerner isn’t at his best right now, batting .258 with a .689 OPS and 1.7 WAR, a trade seems unlikely, but it’s possible.

Jameson Taillon is another player Morosi mentioned, with several teams reportedly interested in the right-hander. The Cubs might be willing to move Taillon to clear payroll space. Earning $18MM this year, Taillon has a 2.96 ERA and a 7-5 record. He’s under team control until after the 2026 season but has a 10-team no-trade clause.

Justin Steele is not expected to be traded, but his name has surfaced in trade rumors. As the ace of the pitching staff, Steele isn’t a free agent until 2028. He has a 3.07 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and .215 opponent batting average. Trading Steele would require a significant return of prospects, as he could enhance any playoff rotation.

What the Cubs Need in Return

We’ve discussed the potential trade candidates for the Cubs. As previously noted, the Cubs aim to remain competitive in 2025 and beyond, so any trade packages would need to be compelling. Players like Smyly and Neris may not yield substantial returns, but the rest could.

The Cubs need a future third baseman, as they currently lack a full-time player for that position. Matt Shaw, ranked as Just Baseball’s No. 4 prospect in the organization, is the anticipated future third baseman, but he is still in Double-A and also plays middle infield. If Shaw isn’t the solution, acquiring a third baseman via trade would be logical.

Additionally, the Cubs need a catcher, as their current catchers—Miguel Amaya, Tomás Nido, and Yan Gomes—have underperformed, hitting a combined .191 with only 16 extra-base hits and a negative WAR. Securing a catcher for the future through a trade could address this issue.

The Cubs being sellers is unexpected this season, but they need to remain realistic and deal with their current situation. A winning streak might change things, but for now, the team could look very different by July 31.

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