Chicago Cubs should target Denard Span or Cameron Maybin in trade
The Chicago Cubs have seen a rash of injuries plague them in the 2017 season. Regardless of who has played, one thing has remained constant. The Chicago Cubs roster badly needs a traditional leadoff hitter, and they should trade for one.
Anthony Rizzo has been the only leadoff hitter this season to produce consistently. We all knew Anthony Rizzo hitting leadoff was just a fad. Now, the Chicago Cubs face the same issue they have all year. The lack of an impact hitter at the top of the order.
Theo Epstein and the rest of the Chicago Cubs’ front office should not and will not sit idle as the trade deadline approaches quickly. The Cubs should trade for a veteran center fielder and in turn, a traditional leadoff hitter.
Two options the Cubs could look at are Cameron Maybin and Denard Span.
Cameron Maybin is playing well for the second place Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels are 14.5 games back of the first-place Houston Astros, so the American Leader West is all but locked up.
The Angels are still in contention for one of the two wild-card spots, but the trade deadline will show if the Angels truly believe they can compete this season.
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Denard Span is quietly having one of his best seasons to date. If the San Francisco Giants were playing better Span would not be on the market or his price tag would be much higher. It is a blessing for the Cubs.
The Giants are 20-plus games back of first place and still without star pitcher Madison Bumgarner. If there was the perfect time to be sellers, this year’s trade deadline is that time for the Giants.
By the numbers
Maybin owns a slash line of .260/.358/.405. He sees 4.13 pitches per plate appearance, which is good for 23rd in the league and third best out of all center fielders. No Chicago Cub on the current roster boasts a better number than Maybin.
Cameron Maybin also has stolen bases 24 this season and has only been caught twice. He also has a respectful wRc+ of 112 and a walk percentage of 12.9%.
Denard Span’s slash line is even more impressive than Maybin’s. Span boasts a .297/.348/.457 line. Span only sees 3.82 pitches per at-bat and has only stolen 4 bases this season. He has a wRc+ of 116 and a walk percentage of 6.4%. Denard Span is more of an aggressive hitter than Maybin but still gets on base at a terrific clip.
Cameron Maybin and Denard Span are both average defensive center fielders but neither player will kill you out there.
Playing time will not be an issue if the Cubs do make a trade. Joe Maddon faced similar issues last year where the Cubs had too much talent and that turned out okay. But it is the time of the year when the best players need to play.
Ian Happ will still get starts in the centerfield, and he can play all around the diamond.
Albert Almora needs to continue to improve at the plate to warrant his playing time.
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Jon Jay will still get starts in center field and left field. It is not a guarantee that Kyle Schwarber comes back from Triple-A hitting the cover off the ball. Jay is also a very dangerous bat off the bench for Maddon to use late in the game.
Span and Maybin are both veteran players that are ready to produce and help propel the Chicago Cubs to the playoffs. With the help of a traditional leadoff hitter, the Chicago Cubs’ supposedly vaunted offense should heat up in the second half of the 2017 season.