MLB trade rumors: 5 teams that should be buyers at the deadline

4. Chicago Cubs

While the Cardinals need to be active in the trade market because of their struggles, the Cubs should also be in buyer mode even though they’re on a tear.

Cubs president Jed Hoyer said as much when discussing the upcoming deadline.

“If you’re in a pennant race, you try to get better and you try to buy,” Hoyer said, per NBC Sports. “And we’ve always done that, and I don’t know why this year would be any different.”

Chicago is definitely in the pennant race, leading the NL Central thanks to the third-best record in baseball over the last 30 games.

Hoyer highlighted starting pitching as a potential area of emphasis in trade discussions. They have relied too heavily on their bullpen so far this season and will want to shore up the rotation before the weight becomes too much to bear.

Minor injuries to Trevor Williams and Adbert Alzolay have only highlighted the need for an extra arm to rely on.

The question is how big they’re willing to go. Scherzer will be on the mind, but that’s a move that would require some serious assets.