MLB Rumors: Yankees mistake, Cardinals trade package, Cubs choice

MLB rumors: Cubs more likely to keep Cody Bellinger than Marcus Stroman

The Chicago Cubs are in an interesting position with the trade deadline just days away. While they have had two big-name players listed as potential trade targets this year starting pitcher Marcus Stroman and outfielder Cody Bellinger. Stroman would be among the best-starting pitchers if he were made available, as is Bellinger for those in need of an outfielder.

But the issue right now is that the Cubs aren’t that far out of a postseason spot. Specifically, they are five games back of the final Wild Card spot, and just six games back of first in the NL Central.

So, what are the Cubs to do? Trade Bellinger and Stroman? Keep both of them for a postseason berth?

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic wrote in a recent column (subscription required) that one plan the Cubs could consider ahead of the trade deadline is keeping Bellinger and trading away Stroman. Rosenthal reasons that the Cubs can place the qualifying offer on Bellinger and get a draft pick (between No. 68-70) if he were to sign elsewhere. They don’t have the luxury to do so with Stroman, as he already received a qualifying offer from the New York Mets in 2020.

Bellinger is probably the best outfielder that teams could add at the deadline. This year, Bellinger has recorded a .314 batting average, a .363 on-base percentage, a .540 slugging percentage, 14 home runs, 45 RBI, 53 runs scored, 82 hits, 50 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 261 at-bats in 69 games played.

As for Stroman, he is having a great year with the Cubs, as he is set to become a free agent. Through 21 starts, Stroman recorded a 3.09 ERA, a 1.144 WHIP, a 10-7 record, a complete game shutout, 105 strikeouts, and 46 walks in 122.1 innings.

Stroman has expressed his desire to remain with the Cubs and even said that he would want to return via free agency if the Cubs were to trade him at the deadline.

We will see what the Cubs decide to do just days before the deadline on Aug. 1.