The Chicago Cubs are going to be sellers at the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline. Obviously, that is not fun but the Cubs are better off than most teams selling.
The Cubs won’t be trading any of their core players that are locked in for a long time which is very nice. Guys like Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Seiya Suzuki amongst others are there to stay.
There are plenty of other players, however, that can be moved for assets that help the future. Not everyone is a part of the long-term plan which is okay. They are good players that can help a team win right now.
These are the three players that the Cubs should be all in on moving before the deadline:
Cody Bellinger is a great player that the Chicago Cubs should move.
After some rough years with the Los Angeles Dodgers toward the end of his tenure there, a bounce back with the Chicago Cubs was very predictable.
He basically needed to do so in order to be a full-time Major League starter going forward. He has done more than bounce back.
He has resembled the MVP version of himself more than the struggling version of himself for most of this season.
His 2.4 WAR shows just how valuable he’s been up to this point in July. A team with true World Series aspirations might give up a lot to get a quality player like Bellinger.
Bellinger also has tons of playoff experience as he has made many deep runs including a World Series victory. He has a very decorated career that he should be proud of.
Getting good pieces knowing he is on an expiring contract would be a smart business decision by Jed Hoyer and his staff. Plenty of teams want him.
Marcus Stroman is someone that would get the Chicago Cubs a good return.
The Chicago Cubs are trying to be smart with their assets right now. They are a fun team but they aren’t necessarily a good team.
That is why they need to make some hard decisions. Trading Marcus Stroman would certainly be a hard decision. It was fun when they signed him and he has been great for them.
After being an All-Star selection here in 2023, there is no denying the season that he is having. For that reason, contenders have to be licking their chops knowing that a pitcher like that is available.
If the Cubs don’t plan on resigning him, and it doesn’t seem like they do, they should absolutely trade him right now. He has a player option for 2024 so there is a risk that he doesn’t pick it up and leaves for nothing.
His value is high right now too with how well he has pitched so he has to be moved if there is no extension by the trade deadline.
The Chicago Cubs might be able to find a return for Trey Mancini.
The Chicago Cubs aren’t getting the best season out of Trey Mancini but he does provide some value to the team.
He is a solid veteran that has tons of great experience in this league. He literally helped the Houston Astros win the World Series last season after a trade.
Now, teams might want to add him knowing he brings something once the games get really hard. That applies even if he isn’t necessarily playing in those games.
Mancini is a great person that a contender might want to have in their dugout for a big playoff run. The Cubs probably wouldn’t get much for him but he is someone to consider moving ahead of the trade deadline.
All of these guys serve a purpose in the league. All of them were great in short stints with the Cubs but it is time to make some really hard decisions.