One waiver trade deadline deal every MLB team should make

Jul 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and manager Jeff Banister (28) speak to media before the game between the Rangers and the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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Aug 4, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) reacts in the dugout against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Cubs won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

9. . 67-48, 7.5 GB NL Central. No. 2 NL Wild Card Leader. Chicago Cubs. 5. player

Already a year ahead of schedule because of the number of rookies playing key roles, the Chicago Cubs are not only in position to make the playoffs in 2015, they are currently playing their best baseball of the season. Manager Joe Maddon has moved Addison Russell to shortstop to replace slumping Starlin Castro, and moved Chris Coghlan to second base to open a spot for Kyle Schwarber in left field. The moves have worked and the team has won 12 of its first 13 games in August.

With so much movement coming from within the organization, plus the non-waiver trade deadline deals that brought pitchers Dan Haren and Tommy Hunter to Chicago, plus the signing of Rafael Soriano, it appears unlikely that the Cubs would make another deal in August.

They may want to trade Castro, and though he’s due more than $40 million through the 2019 season, such a move isn’t likely to happen until the offseason. The three-time All-Star has more value as a part-timer in October than most of the available options prior to the waiver deadline, and therefore shouldn’t be traded.

However, a trade for another bullpen arm is possible, such as underperforming Tigers veteran relievers Tom Gorzelanny or Neftali Feliz. Of course, Chicago can also bring up someone like top pitching prospect Carl Edwards, Jr. from Triple-A.

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