Cubs Rumors: 3 familiar faces to trade for not named Kris Bryant or Javy Baez

The Chicago Cubs split the London Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, they’ve proven over a recent hot stretch they should be deadline buyers. Could they bring back any former players?

As nice as it would be to bring back some members of the Cubs Core 4 from their 2016 World Series team — such as Javy Baez or Kris Bryant, who can likely be had for the right price — it’s unlikely given their current price tags financially. While the Ricketts family is finally willing to spend at the deadline, they don’t want to invest in players they passed on for a reason.

In terms of a KB reunion, the Rockies front office hasn’t given up on the star third baseman yet despite his injury woes. Even from Chicago’s perspective, though, any number of things stand in the way:

"“The 31-year-old played in 42 games in 2022 due to a back injury; this season, nagging injures again have limited him to just 50 games. In those 50 games, Bryant is slashing .263/.346/.374 with five home runs and 17 RBI, numbers that put his $182 million deal to shame. With Bryant in a late-career rut, would it be possible for the Cubs to bring him back in August? No dice, not given the financials, anyway. Plus, the Cubs already have a potential Bryant replacement in utility player Christopher Morel. Sure, a Cubs-Bryant reunion may stir up that good ol’ nostalgia, but in terms of Chicago’s best course for the future, Bryant is a venerated relic and should stay that way,” Kristen Wong wrote."

So, if not someone like Baez, Rizzo or Bryant, then who? There are plenty of former Cubs around baseball who could be brought back into the fold.

Former Cubs to trade for: Trevor Williams

Trevor Williams played in 13 games with Chicago in 2021. He started 12 of those matchups, and had an ERA over five. While that’s not exactly inspiring for a potential reunion, Williams has turned into a much different, improved starter since then.

Williams had a 3.21 ERA with the Mets in 2022 in 30 appearances. In Washington this season, he has started all 15 of his appearances, and has a respectable 4.21 ERA. At this point in his career, he’s a solid back-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Teams need those at the trade deadline, and Williams is likely to be dealt given the Washington Nationals current predicament in the NL East standings.

Trading for Williams won’t bring with it the same buzz as, say, a KB, but he’d come cheaper and prove just as valuable.