MLB Rumors: Tyler O’Neill trade fit, Mets front office chase, Cubs may not sell
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: The Cubs may not sell all their assets after all
The Chicago Cubs swept the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this week, moving to within 3.5 games of the NL Central lead in the process. Suddenly, Chicago, which has the best run differential in the division by a wide margin, is within striking distance.
Much of the talk the last few weeks has been regarding trades for Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman. Both players can opt out of their current deals early, thus becoming free agents after the season. If the Cubs aren’t going to compete this year, then it would make sense for the front office to get what they can for said players now, while hoping to bring them back in free agency.
For Jed Hoyer, however, it’s not so simple. The Cubs fanbase has been waiting for quite some time to contend, and considering the talent on their roster, their chances at winning a putrid NL Central division are better than their record would suggest. Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, many teams within the division still view it as up for grabs:
"“Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ president of baseball operations, summed up the NL Central quite well on Wednesday, telling reporters, “Anyone can still win it.” Another NL Central executive, speaking on condition of anonymity because he did not want to disparage his own team and others in the division, likened the race to “a pillow fight.” He could have been talking about the AL Central, as well.”"
These next few weeks will determine Chicago’s fate, but should they keep winning, selling is out of the question.