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Chicago Cubs rumors: Five under-the-radar targets for MLB trade deadline

By Dan Schmelzer

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 27: Starting pitcher Jose Quintana #62 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the ball against the New York Yankees at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 27: Starting pitcher Jose Quintana #62 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the ball against the New York Yankees at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Trevor Cahill
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 05: Pitcher Trevor Cahill #38 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the first inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 5, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

5. Trevor Cahill, SP, San Diego Padres

The Chicago Cubs took a flyer on Trevor Cahill on a minor league contract late in the 2015 season. They converted him to the bullpen where he immediately became a big-time weapon for Joe Maddon as a groundball machine. Cahill’s heavy sinker played well out of the bullpen, but the Cubs did not bring him back for the 2017 season.

Instead, he signed a modest one-year contract with the San Diego Padres who gave him an opportunity to start. Cahill has only started eight games for San Diego this season, but he has made an extremely successful transition back into the rotation.

Cahill has posted an impressive 2.96 ERA this season with a 2.98 FIP that suggests his results have been for real. Take this for what it’s worth, but Cahill’s 2.96 ERA is better than any pitcher currently in the Cubs’ rotation.

Similar to his time with the Cubs, Cahill has had success as a starter because of his heavy sinker. He will pound that sinker against both lefties and righties and has put up an incredible 62.3% ground ball rate (according to FanGraphs) this season. Add in his 28.8% strikeout rate and there is plenty of reasons to believe that Cahill can keep up this success.

The Cubs need to add impact pitching to their rotation. Guys like Eddie Butler and John Lackey simply are not going to get it done. Kyle Hendricks returning from the DL will likely replace Butler, but the Cubs still need to find a way to replace Lackey. If they want to go the low-cost route, Cahill is a perfect trade candidate.

He also does not affect the Cubs’ ability to add a higher-value starting pitcher as they know they can count on Cahill as a bullpen arm if needed. Trading for Cahill would not be the most exciting move, but it would be a solid, low-cost acquisition that does make them better.

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