MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates catches a ball hit by Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the sixth inning at PNC Park on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 02: Ian Happ #8 of the Chicago Cubs hits a solo home run in the fourth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 2, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Oakland Athletics: Ian Happ

Sonny Gray is the big piece the Athletics need to move at the deadline. Billy Beane does have other chips to move like Jed Lowrie, Ryan Madson, and Yonder Alonso, but his primary focus needs to be on getting a haul for Gray.

The Cubs have a backlog of young talent at every key position on the diamond, but they are short on pitchers ready to step in and get the rotation back on track. Theo Epstein will be in the market for a big-name starter at the deadline this year, and Gray offers the upside and control that the Cubs need.

Ian Happ has been one of the few consistent hitters in the Cubs lineup since his debut in the middle of May. However, it is hard to gauge his place in the long-term plan in Chicago. The Cubs still owe Ben Zobrist $28 million for the next two years. Happ is not as good a defender as Javy Baez, and he cannot move to left field because Kyle Schwarber is Epstein’s favorite son.

Happ would be a decent building block to start talks with the Cubs for a Sonny Gray trade. He will easily hit 25 home runs a season and has the potential to steal 15-20 bases. A move to left field could also be in the cards down the road. Happ is not quite athletic enough to play second base for his entire career, but he could be a very good corner outfielder.

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