The Chicago Cubs just took three of four from the lowly St. Louis Cardinals. Now, the Cubs are 48-51 which is good for third place in the NL Central Division. They are 6.5 games behind the leading Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cincinnati Reds are in second, trailing the Brewers by 0.5 games. Can the Cubs climb over two teams before the season is over with what they have right now? No.
They could be buyers at the deadline and then have a slightly better chance. But then what? Maybe or maybe not make the playoffs? That is not worth giving up assets.
If the Cubs want to continue rebuilding the right way, they will sell off the pieces that are clearly not coming back. These are their three biggest trade assets ranked:
3. Patrick Wisdom
The Chicago Cubs could consider moving Patrick Wisdom this year.
Patrick Wisdom is one of the best pure home run hitters in the National League. In a somewhat limited role with the Chicago Cubs, Wisdom leads the team in that category. It is honestly remarkable.
It doesn’t seem like Wisdom has a long-term future with the team as the only thing he does really well is hit home runs. He strikes out a lot and isn’t an elite defender anywhere.
There are a few contending teams out there, however, that could use Wisdom much more than the Cubs right now. Having a big-time power threat to add to your lineup as a bench piece could be huge for someone.
There may be a team out there that sees him available and jumps on it. Getting something for a pure home run hitter that doesn’t play every day would be great asset management.
2. Marcus Stroman
Marcus Stroman of the Chicago Cubs is getting a lot of trade interest.
The Chicago Cubs have a fine pitching staff. It isn’t one of the best in the National League but it is very respectable (on most days).
One of the key pieces on the staff is Marcus Stroman. Obviously, he is high up on a lot of people’s trade market boards right now.
Stroman has a player option for 2024. He has probably been good enough that he will decline the option and make more money with another team.
The Chicago Cubs could try to give him an extension right now but if he isn’t signed by the trade deadline, he must go. All of the contenders that could use some starter depth would love to add Stroman right now.
Certain teams might even pay a lot to get him. If the packages being offered are good, Stroman will be moved. That is why he is the second most valuable trade asset that the Cubs have right now.
1. Cody Bellinger
The Chicago Cubs could get a major haul for Cody Bellinger right now.
Cody Bellinger might have been number two on this list below Stroman a week ago but he has played himself into the number one spot.
The Cubs might be smart to offer him an extension before the trade deadline gets really close. Scott Boras is his agent so getting that done would obviously be difficult.
If it can’t be done, Bellinger must be traded. He looks more like his MVP-winning self than his bad self that we saw in 2020, 2021, and 2022. You can’t lose a guy like that for nothing.
Bellinger has fixed his image this season and teams can see it. A contender would love to add a bat in the middle of their lineup. The Cubs could pull in a great return for him if they do decide to move on.
Right now, Bellinger leads the pack for the Cubs but all of these guys would be awesome to add to a core looking to win the World Series right now. These next few games may determine everyone’s fate but we know what the Cubs should actually do.