Chicago Cubs Rumors: Team should pursue these 3 August trades

Trade Number Two: Acquire Sergio Romo from Tampa Bay Rays

The Cubs’ bullpen has been good enough to this point. Unfortunately, good enough doesn’t cut it in October.

Luckily for the Cubs, relievers are the primary trade candidates in August. There are a plethora of late-inning options available.

Why Romo would be available

The Tampa Bay Rays are in the midst of an all-out fire sale. One of the only players remaining from the sale is Sergio Romo, the Rays closer.

Romo’s career had been in a tailspin up until signing with the Rays prior to the season. Ever since closing out the 2012 World Series, Romo has consistently declined in his production, floating around minor league teams following his departure from San Francisco in 2016.

Romo has seemingly revived his career in his age-35 season, recording a 3.54 ERA in 58 games for the Rays. While Romo’s velocity has declined, his slider is as good as ever, sliding to the tune of 59 strikeouts in 53.1 innings.

Why the Cubs would want him

Cubs closer Brandon Morrow has missed most of the second half due to an extended disabled list stint. Its unknown when, if at all, Morrow will return this season.

While Chavez and Pedro Strop have done a great job filling in for Morrow in the ninth inning, innings six-through-eight have been pretty rough.

Romo has pitched in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings successfully throughout his career. Although he’s been pitching primarily in the ninth this season, the Cubs can decide to slot him in for either the 7th or 8th inning, creating a Romo-Strop-Morrow combo in the 7th-8th-9th innings  for the postseason.

Since Romo is owed $2.5 million this season, the Rays would get little-to-no return. The Cubs would get a high-leverage, three-time World Series Champion reliever, while giving up nothing in the process.