3 Cubs trades that make too much sense not to happen

Matthew Boyd would slot-in perfectly as a back-end starting rotation piece

In terms of being able to elevate the rotation without compromising the future of the organization, left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd of the Detroit Tigers seems to check all of the necessary boxes. He pitches for an American League team that is not going anywhere. Plus, he could contribute to the 2022 Cubs as well, as he is not hitting free agency until after next season.

While Boyd is only 3-6 on the year in his 13 starts, he has a 3.44 ERA and a 1.203 WHIP in 70.2 innings pitched. Though he only has 56 strikeouts on the year, his ERA being well below his career average of 4.93 means the Cubs would be getting him right in the midst of his pitching prime. Boyd can be the huge boost the rotation needs in the second half, and could contribute next year.

This is the type of business-savvy move the Cubs front office should consider making in the coming weeks. If they are going to make a trade to bolster the rotation, it needs to be one that gives them more than half-a-year’s worth of value, without potentially giving up the farm for. This feels like the low-risk, high-reward type of deal the cash-strapped front office can get behind.

Ultimately, the Cubs have one of the better rosters in the National League this season. They will only have to upgrade a few positions at the deadline to ensure themselves of being postseason-caliber. However, Chicago’s well-documented financial issues could prevent the front office from making some of the marquee moves the fanbase will clamor for. They have to be methodical here.

What other players should the Cubs look at potentially adding ahead of the 2021 MLB deadline?