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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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Cameron Maybin
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 12: Cameron Maybin #9 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim runs to first after hitting an RBI double during the seventh inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 12, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3. Cameron Maybin, OF, Los Angeles Angels

The Chicago Cubs have struggled to find a leadoff hitter all season long. Dexter Fowler was incredible up top for the team last season and they have not even come close to replacing him.

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The Kyle Schwarber experiment was a bust, Anthony Rizzo needs to be in the middle of the order and Maddon likes using Ben Zobrist as protection behind Rizzo and Kris Bryant. Jon Jay has had some success as the Cubs leadoff hitter, but he is undoubtedly best suited in a part-time role off of the bench.

If the Cubs look to add a position player to the mix prior to the July 31st trade deadline, getting a guy who can leadoff would make a ton of sense. Cameron Maybin would be a strong fit.

Maybin has been the Angels’ primary leadoff hitter this season and he is doing so at a high level. He is hitting .251/.351/.388 on the year, getting on base at a high enough clip to make him an improvement over the Cubs’ options. On top of that, Maybin leads the American League with 25 stolen bases on the season and has only been caught three times.

The Cubs do not look to steal many bases, but having a weapon like that at the top of their order would be nice. Maybin is not an elite defensive centerfielder, but he can get the job done out there. Adding a strong leadoff option like Maybin would make a lot of sense for the Chicago Cubs, and as a rental, the price would likely be low.

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