The Chicago Cubs were one of the surprises of the first-half of the MLB season and they are looking to keep that going with the playoffs in sight. The Cubs sit in first place and have no plans on dropping which is why they could be buyers at the trade deadline. Chicago's plate production has been poor as of late, but the team is also looking at another elite pitcher to bring into the rotation for a second-half surge to the postseason.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs are currently aiming to deal Starlin Castro at the deadline as they have given up on the shortstop who continues to struggle. The team has tried to remain patient with Castro, but his production is diminishing. The 25-year-old is a three-time All-Star but he is hitting just .247 at the moment and the Cubs are aiming to dump him. However, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian is reporting the Cubs are finding that very few teams are interested in taking on Castro which is making the deadline tough for the Cubs.
Chicago wants a pitcher. They are aiming high on getting a big arm to bring that into the playoffs. According to Kurkjian, the Cubs are looking at everyone from David Price to Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto. Ideally they would include Castro in a trade and then move Addision Russell over to short-stop and promote Javier Baez who they are very high on. Chicago believes that gives them the best roster to compete during the back-half of the year.
Price is the big name on the market. He is entering the final year of his contract and USA Today is reporting the Detroit Tigers have no issues in trading him. However, at what price will he cost the Cubs? Players like Hamels and Cueto might come cheaper. Jeff Samardzija could also give the Cubs the best bang for their buck. The Tribune writes that if the Cubs were to acquire Price, they would also try and re-sign him in free agency. Chicago has shown willingness as of late to spend money, something they certainly will have to do with Price.
FOX Sports also believes the Cubs are interested in a reliever like Jonathan Papelbon or potentially even Craig Kimbrel. Adding a reliever would allow other bullpen pitchers to take more rest and be better suited for a late-season run. According to insiders, general manager Theo Epstein is looking to be aggressive at the trade deadline. Getting either Papelbon or Kimbrel would certainly fit that bill. With the Cubs having one of their better seasons in recent years, nothing is off the table.
