Chicago Cubs: Don’t be afraid to make a big splash trade

The Chicago Cubs currently have the best record in the National League. Despite this, the organization shouldn’t hold back on acquiring real difference-makers via trade.

If the Chicago Cubs want to win the World Series this season, they’ll need to go all-in on improving their roster. That means Theo Epstein must do everything possible to acquire a big-time player or two to address glaring issues holding the team back.

The Cubs’ starting pitching has been up-and-down all season long. Jon Lester has been mostly reliable. Unfortunately Kyle Hendricks hasn’t found his groove all season long. Same goes for Jose Quintana. Yu Darvish hasn’t pitched in months. Tyler Chatwood and Mike Montgomery have been shaky as starters also.

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Even if the Cubs make the playoffs, when their offense goes through a mini dry spell, they need a reliable ace besides Lester to carry the team to a victory. Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets would be a fantastic addition to the organization. He leads the league in ERA. The Cubs should trade for him, even if that means parting ways with players like Addison Russell, Mike Montgomery, and David Bote. Those three players are solid, but not transcending talents.

The Cubs could also use another big-time reliever on their roster. Brandon Morrow has dealt with multiple injuries this season. In addition, Joe Maddon has relied on young, inexperienced relievers too often to carry the burden of limiting damage during close-contested games. Trading for a reliable veteran reliever such as Joakim Soria would greatly improve a depleted bullpen to date.

Epstein must look back a few seasons ago to 2016. That’s when the team gave up one of their top hitting prospects who now stars for the New York Yankees, shortstop Gleyber Torres, in exchange for an elite closer, Aroldis Chapman. All Chapman did was help deliver a World Series Championship to Chicago that November.

The organization needs to have that same approach now as the July trade deadline approaches. Do whatever it takes to acquire elite difference-makers. Players who can possibly provide additional postseason experience to an already promising roster.

If the Cubs’ starters were pitching up to their potential, and their bullpen wasn’t over-taxed, there’d be less urgency to make a splash-type deal. It is too bad that just hasn’t been the case.

Epstein must not play it safe, nor take on a cautious approach when it comes to deal-making. The Cubs’ window of opportunity for winning another World Series isn’t going to last forever.

Teams destined for greatness in any sport can see their window of contention close unexpectedly. There’s no guarantee that the Cubs are going to remain great for the foreseeable future with the same cast of players taking the field each time out.

Sometimes change is a good thing, especially if timed right. Epstein knows this, for he has made some good and bad trades over the years with the Cubs.

The Chapman trade worked out perfectly for instance, while the Quintana trade has been so-so at best. That’s why if Epstein is going to make a trade, make it be for a legitimate all-star caliber player — or at the very least, a player who is performing well right now. Remember: Quintana was pitching poorly for the Chicago White Sox when the Cubs traded two elite minor-league prospects for his services last July.

Nothing short of making a true impact trade, even if it means shaking up the roster, will be a disappointment for a team with some notable flaws that have yet been eased.