Cubs rumors: 3 trade deadline deals to make, 2 to avoid

The Cubs should avoid trading Marcus Stroman at the trade deadline

Marcus Stroman has been the biggest trade rumor surrounding the Cubs this year. For good reason too. The Cubs front office hasn’t shown any interest in working on an extension with Stroman just yet, but that doesn’t mean he should be dealt.

Stroman is also having a Cy Young-caliber season. He ranks second in the National League in ERA (2.47), third in wins (9), third in WHIP (1.08) and second in opposing batting average (.203). It’s quite clear that he’s having quite the season and under any other selling circumstances, the Cubs should ship him for prospects at the deadline. End of story.

But this isn’t any normal circumstance. And the Cubs aren’t necessarily going to be sellers. First of all, the putrid NL Central is wide open, led by a Reds team that has little starting pitching and is only five games over .500. The division is still in reach.

The second reason, which is even more important than the first, is that Stroman has shown interest in resigning with the Cubs. If he wants to be extended, trade talks should go out the window. The Cubs need to lock Stroman down for a few seasons, securing an ace at the top of their pitching rotation.