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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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HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 25: Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Curtis Granderson (18) gets on third base in the top of the third inning during the baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros on June 25, 2018 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 25: Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Curtis Granderson (18) gets on third base in the top of the third inning during the baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros on June 25, 2018 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Add a veteran bat to the bench

It’s no secret, the Cubs are loaded with almost too many young hitters for their own good. Joe Maddon sometimes has difficulty finding at-bats for Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Ben Zobrist. It can be detrimental to young hitters to be in and out of the lineup, but Happ and Schwarber especially, have made the most of it this year.

Bench bats, especially left-handed ones, can make or break a playoff run, and the Cubs should scour the trade market for low-cost veterans who can bring some pop off the bench. Mark Reynolds could become a victim of a roster crunch with the Washington Nationals. Another interesting name to keep an eye on is Curtis Granderson.

The Toronto Blue Jays are out of the playoff picture for the second year in a row and have to seriously consider making a more concerted rebuilding effort. Josh Donaldson is a free agent at the end of the year, but has little trade value right now due to his continue battles with injury. Surprisingly, Granderson has hit very well after struggling mightily down the stretch last year.

In 63 games for the Jays this year, the veteran Granderson is hitting .258/.369/.478 with nine home runs and 26 RBI. He can be counted on for a quality at-bat every time he goes to the plate and is the type of presence in the clubhouse that teams dream of adding heading into a tough pennant race.

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