The Chicago Cubs are running out of time to make a move. The MLB trade deadline is just a day away and starting pitchers are getting swept off the market quickly. Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos and now Cole Hamels are all heading to new teams leaving the Cubs scrambling if they want a starting arm to beef up their rotation. The Cubs have been struggling to make trade deals with the package they are offering and that could get even harder as Starlin Castro is off the market.
The Cubs had reportedly been dangling Castro on the open market as he continues to struggle on the season. However, there was very little interest in the 25-year-old causing several trade deals to go flat for Chicago. As the team continues to seek out a pitcher and batting help, manager Joe Maddon told the short stop that he was not going to be traded no matter what. According to the Chicago Tribune, Maddon eased the mind of the short stop after he was removed from the lineup on Wednesday.
"I'm not supposed to be thinking about this, but the team isn't where we want to be," Castro said, via the Chicago Tribune. "Sometimes when we're not doing good, those kind of rumors run in my mind. It's not supposed to, but I feel free to go talk to (Maddon). The season is not over yet. I'm not going to put my head down. I'm going to keep working hard and help my team win. I want to be here. I want to stay here."
The Cubs are still negotiating deals as the San Diego Padres become their many target for a move. According to CBS Sports, the team is still shopping Javier Baez in hopes of getting pitcher Tyson Ross or outfielders Justin Upton and Will Venable. With Hamels heading to the Texas Rangers and James Shields proving to be too expensive, Ross is the best prospect to get while Upton would help the struggling offense. Venable told the media that he is trying to tune out the trade talk.
"Realistically, unless you have a no-trade clause, you're accepting the fact that you play baseball and that your contract could be traded at any time," said Venable, via Mighty 1090 AM. "At the same time, every year, there's a group of guys who - depending on their service time, pending free agency and their team's status - end up being grouped into the category of possible trade candidates. That time is kind of coming up for me.
According to the Tribune, never say never on a deal for Castro. While the Cubs might stress that the short-stop is unavailable, if they can get someone better they absolutely will. After a strong start to the season, the Cubs are on pace for the playoffs, but offensive struggles have hurt that effort in recent weeks. Getting a few roster upgrades is the best move to make.
