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MLB rumors: 5 players Cubs needs to trade for

By William Schneiderhan

ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 06: Asdrubal Cabrera #14 of the Texas Rangers field a hit in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 6, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 06: Asdrubal Cabrera #14 of the Texas Rangers field a hit in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 6, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 05: Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle (63) on the mound during a MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago White Sox on June 05, 2019, at Nationals Park, in Washington DC. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 05: Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle (63) on the mound during a MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago White Sox on June 05, 2019, at Nationals Park, in Washington DC. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Sean Doolittle, LHP Washington Nationals

The Cubs acquiring Sean Doolittle essentially fits the same premise as the team adding Will Smith. But Doolittle is a more elite arm, and Maddon would have the luxury of calling on two lock down guys at the end of games with Doolittle and Kimbrel.

As we have seen in today’s game, you can never have enough help in a bullpen. Shortening games is the key to success, and that cannot be done without a top tier pen.

Doolittle has hit a rut lately, pitching to an ERA over six in his last 15 games. Although, he has been able to find more of his usual form recently with a 3.18 ERA in his last seven appearances.

Since the bullpen has been so bad for the Nationals, Dave Martinez has gone to Doolittle more than he has wanted to. Sill, he currently has 14 saves with an ERA of 3.58 in 27.2 innings.

As is the case with his current teammate Adam Eaton, Doolittle’s contract has a club option for next season. Unlike Eaton, Doolittle’s option is for a much cheaper value of $6.5 million.

dark. Next. MLB rumors: 5 teams who should trade for Corey Kluber

Doolittle would help this year and next, assuming that Hoyer wouldn’t decline such a value-level club option. He won’t be cheap as far as trade assets go, so the Cubs may lean towards someone like Smith in this situation.

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