Chicago Cubs: Early Bullpen Struggles Could Signal Another Top-Prospect Being Traded
The Chicago Cubs’ bullpen arms have struggled to hold leads early in the season. If this worrisome trend continues, don’t be surprised if the front office trades away another top-prospect for more relief help.
The Chicago Cubs are struggling to begin the 2017 season. They were just swept in three games by none other than their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates… At HOME.
While the offensive firepower of the Cubs has been stagnant at times, their relief pitching has been an even bigger concern. Justin Grimm, Pedro Strop, Koji Uehara, and Brian Duensing have been disappointing thus far in protecting leads.
Will the Cubs’ relief woes plague the defending champs all season long? It’s still too early to tell, but this glaring issue is something Cubs management will keep in mind as the trade deadline approaches July 31st.
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It’s no secret that the Cubs want to win the World Series again this season. That’s why they’ll likely do whatever it takes to patch up any weaknesses they have as the season progresses.
The Cubs’ relief woes may force Theo Epstein into parting ways with another top-prospect in order to strengthen his ballclub. Remember, the Cubs included shortstop Gleyber Torres, as part of a package deal to acquire closer Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees last July.
Don’t be surprised if Epstein looks to part ways with a prospect, Ian Happ for example, in exchange for a top-shelf reliever or two in the upcoming months. The Cubs currently don’t have any openings on the major-league squad for a player like Happ to receive everyday playing time.
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Of course, all this trade speculation hinges on how the Cubs’ relievers perform over the upcoming months. If, as a collective unit, they pitch their way out of their early-season struggles, management won’t feel the urge to make a big trade-deadline splash. Only time will tell.