Chicago Cubs Rumors: A case for each trade deadline scenario

Before the clock strikes 6 PM ET on August 1 bringing about the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline, the Chicago Cubs front office has some decisions to make.

Only two weeks remain before the trade deadline at the time of publication and the Chicago Cubs currently sit at 45-51. They’re 8.0 games out of the NL Central lead and 6.5 out of the final National League Wild Card spot.

The Cubs started off the second half on the wrong foot, losing two out of three of a three-game homestand to the Boston Red Sox but rebounded well against the lowly Washington Nationals, taking two out of three including a 17-3 win in Game 2 of the series.

They now face off against the hated St. Louis Cardinals in a pivotal four-game set. At the time of publication, the Cubs had dropped the first game of the series and looked to bounce back in Game 2 with Justin Steele on the mound. The Cubs did win that game to tie the series.

The Chicago Cubs front office has some decisions to make before the deadline.

While it’s certainly not an insurmountable hill, the Cubs are quickly running out of time to convince management that they should be given the chance to go for a Wild Card or even a division title.

With a weak NL Central and 13 games remaining against the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs aren’t quite out of the division race though they’re close.

The front office has three options for the trade deadline. They can either sell off assets, buy pieces to contend for a playoff spot, or do nothing.

Let’s break down the three options and make a case for each: