Cubs rumors: Bellinger trade, Stroman’s fate, Taillon’s groove back
By Josh Wilson
The latest on Cubs rumors, including updates on possible Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger trades.
As the Chicago Cubs make history against the New York Yankees on Friday night, here’s everything you need to know about what’s going on with the Cubbies.
Jameson Taillon finds his groove in familiar location
Jameson Taillon started for the Cubs on Friday night, and it might have been his best start since signing with Chicago this winter. If you go by win probability added, it’s not debatable, Taillon earned a .474 in that metric on Friday, his second-highest game in that metric was .294 on April 15 against the Dodgers.
For Taillon, perhaps one of the aspects that led to his strong performance was the location. Taillon experienced a career comeback as a Yankee in 2021 and 2022, so being on the road in Yankee Stadium likely felt familiar, even in the opposite clubhouse.
Perhaps a confidence-building start at his old stomping grounds heading into the All-Star break will be everything Taillon needs to get back on track and start turning the narrative on the contract he signed with the Cubs. This winter, he signed a four-year $68 million contract that hasn’t panned out thus far. He has a 6.15 ERA with a WHIP closing in on 1.4. The sunk cost there has made decisions like Marcus Stroman’s extension much more difficult.
The win in the Bronx was the first-ever in franchise history for the Cubs.
Dansby Swanson injury could push Cubs to be sellers
Dansby Swanson is heading to the 10-day injured list (starts July 6) due to a heel injury.
Cubs moves:
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) July 8, 2023
- Dansby Swanson goes to the IL with a left heel contusion retroactive to July 6
- Miles Mastrobuoni recalled
The injury is as well-timed as an injury can be with the All-Star break arriving on Monday. He will be eligible to return off the IL on Sunday the 16th.
If there is any sort of delay with his injury, though, there’s a case for the Northside team becoming sellers at the deadline. The Cubs, lagging in the NL Central, are in the mix but one unlucky incident from being forced to become sellers, especially with a multitude of attractive options that teams will be calling about. Let’s look at a few today, and status updates on where the team sits on trading them.