Cubs: 1 trade to make and 1 prospect to promote to increase playoff odds
By John Buhler
The Chicago Cubs need to make a few moves to ensure themselves of an NL postseason berth.
With the arch rival St. Louis Cardinals coming to town this weekend, the Chicago Cubs need to continue to play well to ensure they will remain in first place heading into the latter part of June.
In all likelihood, that is what it will take to guarantee the Cubs will be playing in October again. The reason for this is a shortened postseason field and the two NL Wild Card teams are expected to come out west with three outstanding teams over there. That is why it is so very important for the Cubs to make a few roster moves to give themselves the best chance at winning the NL Central.
Here is one player they should trade for and one top prospect they should promote this summer.
Chicago Cubs: 1 trade to make, 1 prospect to promote this summer
Trade for struggling Los Angeles Angels pitcher Dylan Bundy to bolster rotation
It is only the middle of June, but it looks to be another lost season for the Los Angeles Angels. Mike Trout is hurt, Albert Pujols has been released and this is once again not a contending team in the AL West this season. One player who is in dire need of playing in a winning situation is former Baltimore Orioles top prospect Dylan Bundy, who is struggling in his second season in Anaheim.
Bundy is 1-6 in 11 starts for the Halos with a 6.16 ERA in 57.0 innings pitched. He has not won 10 games in a year since his age-24 season with the 2017 Orioles. While he has dealt with many injuries in his career, Bundy is in desperate need of a change of scenery. He might actually thrive playing in a winning environment. He will give the Cubs innings, as well as a sense of urgency.
The 2021 Cubs would be the best team Bundy has ever played for at the big-league level. Since Chicago is in a bit of a difficult financial situation, the Cubs could be buyers, or sellers, depending on how these next few weeks go. They would not have to give up much for the soon-to-be 2022 free agent. It is a low-risk, high-reward move for the Cubs to bolster the back-end of the rotation.
Even if the Cubs do add a former top pitching prospect to the rotation, that may not be enough.