3 reasons the Chicago Cubs should be buyers at the trade deadline
By Todd Welter
2. The Cubs’ needs are not that much
The Chicago Cubs don’t need to add all that much if they buy.
The Cubbies need a power bat or two and some bullpen help. The Chicago Cubs have had issues with their fifth starter but that is not going to break any hopes of winning the division. Not having a legit closer and some dependable bullpen arms can.
Adbert Alzolay has done a good job in the ninth, although a more established closer would be nice.
The Chicago Cubs are in the bottom half of the league in home runs and slugging percentage. They are not getting a ton of pop out of first base, third base, and left field.
Despite all that, the team has still managed to have a positive run differential and is in the league’s upper half in on-base percentage.
In fact, the Cubs are the only team in the NL Central with a positive run differential. If they could acquire a power-hitting left fielder or first baseman, the offensive boost could be enough to get past Milwaukee and Cincinnati.
The problem is it is going to be a sellers’ market. The Chicago Cubs have some nice pieces to sell in Stroman and Cody Bellinger. A sellers’ market could bring in a few more elite prospects.
At the same time, it is not going to cost the Cubs their elite young talent to win the division with those two should.
Sure, the Cubs could keep stacking prospects but at some point, those prospects are either going to be blocked from getting to the Majors or not pan out. Plus, the Brewers have a cheap owner, so it is not like they are going to go out and add what they need to get better.
This is a great time to take advantage of the assets the Chicago Cubs possess to get some players that can upgrade the roster.
It is not that the Cubs cannot target players still under team control. Yes, it might cost a bit more in a trade. At the same time, there is a potentially better return on the investment with a known Major League player than the gamble that is a prospect.
There is the risk of losing Stroman to free agency in the offseason but he has expressed his desire for wanting an extension. The Cubs have the money so it is time to start spending it.