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MLB Rumors: Blake Snell trade fit, Braves superstar trade, Cubs-Astros deal

By Cody Williams

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 15: Blake Snell #4 of the San Diego Padres in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during game one of a double header at Citizens Bank Park on July 15, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 15: Blake Snell #4 of the San Diego Padres in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during game one of a double header at Citizens Bank Park on July 15, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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MLB Rumors, Houston Astros, Marcus Stroman, Chicago Cubs
Marcus Stroman #0 of the Chicago Cubs reacts in the fifth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Wrigley Field on July 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: Cubs stars Stroman, Bellinger connected to Astros trade

Though they’ve done an admirable job trying to fight it, all signs point to the Chicago Cubs ultimately selling at the trade deadline, even if it’s with some reluctance from Jed Hoyer. And there are obviously no bigger assets that could set the Cubs up better for the future than Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger.

Stroman has been electrically good for the Cubs this season, posting a 2.88 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 20 starts on the year, a run in which he’s registerd a Quality Start in 75 percent of his outings. Bellinger, meanwhile, has experienced a resurgence in Chicago this season, posting a .305/.360/.524 slash line with 12 home runs, 13 doubles and 35 RBI in 62 games. Both players, however, have options for 2024 that make them exceedingly tradeable.

A team that might be ready to try and take both off of the Cubs’ hands could be the Houston Astros.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on Monday that the Astros have reached out to Chicago about the trade availability of both Stroman and Bellinger. There was no elaboration other than that, but there is interest on the part of Houston, and it’s not hard to see why.

The offseason departure of Justin Verlander combined with injuries for Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr. and Jose Urquidy have tested the Astros pitching depth. Though guys like JP France and Hunter Brown have stepped up huge, they could use more certainty in the rotation, something that Stroman would provide.

But Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) also named another bat to bolster the offense as Houston’s biggest needs. Bellinger would obviously help that cause with the way he’s performed.

Obviously, the cost for either player, either on theoretically expiring contracts, could be massive in a trade, so the package to acquire both would be substantial. With the Astros already expressing interest, though, they might be on board to break the bank in their World Series title defense.

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