Chicago Cubs must be aggressive at the trade deadline

Time is running out on these Chicago Cubs and they need to take advantage.

In 2016, the Chicago Cubs ended decades of futility, disappointment, and misery by capturing their first World Series title since 1908.

That team was loaded with young stars who, at the time, were mostly under team control for a number of years.

No doubt Cubs fans had visions of that young nucleus hoisting up multiple World Series trophies — and how could you blame them.

Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, and Javier Baez seemed like a formidable core that was only going to get better.

Unfortunately, things have not worked out the way fans have hoped. Kyle Schwarber has not progressed the way the Cubs expected, Jason Heyward hasn’t lived up to his contract, and Yu Darvish — well, we’ll just leave that right there.

Now that window of opportunity that seemed to be just starting to open in 2016 appears to be starting to close. Bryant, Rizzo, and Baez all become free agents in 2022. With Heyward and Darvish signed to humongous deals until 2024, and the reality that the Cubs simply won’t be able to afford to re-sign all three of the aforementioned as free agents, that gives the team two more seasons after this one to capitalize on this window.

In order to do that, the Cubs must allocate every resource and dollar available to make a run at another championship in that timeframe. That starts this July with the MLB non-waiver trade deadline which is scheduled for July 31st.

The Cubs have to approach this year’s trade deadline with an aggressive mindset. They started off this season in abysmal fashion, but have slowly rebounded mightily to take over first place in the Central and currently sit with the second-best record in the National League. What initially felt like a wasted season has turned into feeling like the Cubs have a legitimate shot at taking home another crown.

However, they need a few minor adjustments — particularly on the pitching staff. Another starter, but at a minimum, a quality arm out of the bullpen, feel like must adds to this roster if they want to put themselves over the top. It should be an interesting summer, to say the least.