Chicago Cubs Rumors: A case for each trade deadline scenario

The Chicago Cubs may do nothing and keep the roster as it is right now.

The third and final option is for the Cubs to remain neutral at the trade deadline.

Though it’s hard to imagine this happening, it’s more likely to happen than the team buying and trying to contend.

As a front office, you’re number one goal is to make the team better whenever you get the opportunity. Unfortunately, that won’t happen if they don’t do anything at the deadline.

Let’s analyze.

Pros: There are really only two pros here.

First, keeping the roster intact could be beneficial to the clubhouse. It’s tough seeing guys get traded and can mess with the team chemistry.

Second, keeping guys like Bellinger and Stroman could increase their odds that they return next year either by picking up their option or by signing an extension during the offseason.

Cons: There’s a lot of cons to this. The team remains in purgatory. You lose out on an opportunity to bolster the farm system for future seasons.

You possibly lose Bellinger and Stroman next year with no return for them. And barring a significant turnaround, the Cubs likely continue to play inconsistently.

The Cubs are also then left hoping that they get some help from other teams as well as likely falling further behind teams like the Marlins, Padres, and division leaders, all of which will likely buy at the deadline and become better teams in the hopes of making a deep playoff run.