3 cheap trades Cubs can make to win the deadline

2. German Marquez is a better fit for the Cubs at a reasonable price

A better option to keep the Cubs competitive and improve their poor starting rotation is Colorado Rockies starter German Marquez. The right-hander currently owns a 3.99 ERA, 1.284 WHIP and 3.51 FIP over 90.1 innings this season.

Marquez, 26, has two years and $26.6 million remaining on his deal, which also includes a $16 million team option and a $2.5 million buyout for 2023.

It’s hard to fathom why the Rockies would trade a starter considering how much the organization struggles to develop consistent starters, yet Marquez has remained a constant in trade talks. Maybe it shouldn’t be as surprising with Colorado’s recent transaction history, which includes paying a large majority of Nolan Arenado’s salary to have him play in St. Louis.

Marquez isn’t exactly a traditional staff ace, but he could slide in nicely after Kyle Hendricks. In six MLB seasons, Marquez has posted a 4.21 ERA, 1.271 WHIP and 3.81 FIP through 724.2 innings. The numbers aren’t dominant, but they’re still solid given Marquez pitches at a hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Marquez’s career home vs. away splits:

• Home (61 games): 348.2 IP, 4.85 ERA, 1.400 WHIP
• Away (64 games): 376 IP, 3.61 ERA, 1.152 WHIP