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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 deals the Cubs could make to reignite the fuse

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 30: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles heads to the dugout against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 30: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles heads to the dugout against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Cubs have not been able to break out fully this year, but these five trades might be enough to spark a big run to the top of the NL Central.

For the second year in a row, the Chicago Cubs will find themselves in second place, looking up at the Milwaukee Brewers heading into the All-Star break and trade deadline. Last year, they were able to eat up ground in the second half and win the division comfortably. It does not appear that will be the case this year, as the Brewers are for real. That could leave the Cubs battling it out in a tight race for one of the National League’s Wild Cards.

It’s been a strange year for the Cubs, who have currently lost 10 of 15 and five in a row. There are no real culprits to blame for their choppy ride, but the team has not been able to take off. The Cubs have outscored their opponents by 80 runs, are second in the National League in OPS and have the best staff ERA in the league. All of this should add up to a much better record, but the Cubs are 2.5 games out of first place in their division and only a game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in the race for the second Wild Card spot.

Under Theo Epstein, the Cubs have found a way to get significantly better at the trade deadline every year. Although the farm system has been depleted by all of the moves, the Cubs will find a way to make at least one big move to improve their roster before July 31 passes. These are five potential moves that could spark the Cubs to a big run and a third division title in a row.

5. Trade for a closer again

The trade for All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman at the deadline in 2016 helped launch the Cubs to the World Series. It was worth it, even if Chapman came with plenty of personal baggage and cost top prospect Gleyber Torres, currently raking for the New York Yankees. Luckily for the Cubs, the market has corrected itself and teams are no longer finding huge offers for rental relievers.

Turning Brandon Morrow into a closer has worked very well so far for the Cubs, but he is now out with a back injury. Carl Edwards Jr. is also on the DL with a shoulder injury that has kept him out since the end of May. Morrow should return fairly quickly from the back spasms, but Edwards has just begun throwing bullpen sessions again.

The Cubs cannot afford to go into a pennant race with looming questions at the back of their bullpen. Morrow was one of the most effective relievers last October, until he wasn’t. Edwards has also had his own ups and downs, even if he is dominant at his best. The Cubs have staked a lot of their success this year on a bullpen-by-committee approach, but adding a proven ninth-inning man for August and September could be what is needed to push them over the top. Kanas City Royals All-Star Kelvin Herrera is already off the board, but there are several other closers who could end up in Chicago if need be.

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