MLB rumors: Jeff Passan’s latest trade deadline update will excite Cubs fans

ESPN columnist Jeff Passan provided an MLB trade deadline update that is sure to excite Chicago Cubs fans.

Take a deep breath, Chicago Cubs fans. The ship has sailed on the team shopping its core players.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the team is looking to add to its NL Central-leading roster ahead of the MLB trade deadline, not sell off its stars.

The Cubs were rumored to be open to trading Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Willson Contreras before the season. Given their first-place record, it seems those guys are likely staying in Chicago, at least for now.

MLB rumors: Cubs reportedly looking to buy, not sell at MLB trade deadline

With a division-leading 32-24 record, the Cubs are officially in win-now mode. They’re among the best teams in baseball, outperforming most people’s expectations thus far. There’s no real reason to be shopping their best players. If anything, now is the time to be on the hunt for supporting pieces to upgrade the roster ahead of a potential postseason push.

We’re speculating here, and admittedly the Cubs have a much tougher schedule in June, but if they continue exceeding expectations this year, perhaps GM Jed Hoyer will make a longer-term commitment to Baez and Bryant, in particular.

Through Chicago’s first 56 games, Bryant is having a career year at the plate, batting .316 thus far. Not to be outdone, Baez is currently tied for seventh on the MLB’s home run leaderboard with 14 long bombs.

So far this season, Chicago’s stars have shown the front office they have plenty to build around. For Cubs fans who feared their favorite players’ remaining days in Chicago might be limited, it’s a welcome sigh of relief.