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MLB Rumors: Mets-Reds trade talk, Cubs’ Nick Madrigal showcase, and A-plus bet of the week

By Kristen Wong

Jose Barrero #2 of the Cincinnati Reds chases after the ball after Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets reached second base in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park on May 10, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Jose Barrero #2 of the Cincinnati Reds chases after the ball after Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets reached second base in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park on May 10, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Nick Madrigal, Cubs, MLB Rumors
Nick Madrigal #1 of the Chicago Cubs in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during of a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 20, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: Cubs’ Nick Madrigal showcase reeks of desperation

The Chicago Cubs may be trying to showcase Nick Madrigal ahead of the MLB trade deadline in a move that feels more desperate than shrewd.

According to The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney (subscription required), one reason the Cubs recently called up Madrigal from Triple-A Iowa may be that the club wants him to flex his muscles. The trade deadline is coming up in a month and a half, and the Cubs may be thinking one step ahead as they prepare to shop the underachieving slugger this season.

"This feels like Nick Madrigal’s last chance in Chicago, or a good opportunity to showcase himself for another team. Madrigal once showed enough at Oregon State that the White Sox made him the No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft. Think of this as another audition."

Yet Madrigal’s glaring struggles in his second year on the Cubs have been already laid out on the table for all to see.

Madrigal was demoted in late May after a cold start to the season in which he experienced a slump on defense, slugging percentage, and never got consistent at-bats. Then, down in Triple-A, Madrigal slashed .488/.580/.854 with six doubles, three triples, and a home run in 11 games.

Is Chicago about to see the return of the “Nicky two strikes” who posted a .745 OPS and .774 OPS in his first two seasons with the White Sox?

Maybe, maybe not.

Given Madrigal’s injury history and inconsistencies, this may very well be his last outing in Chicago.

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