The Chicago Cubs are not going to trade Cody Bellinger or Marcus Stroman? They might actually buy at the deadline instead of selling off their assets?
The tables have certainly turned over the last handful of weeks as we approach the trade deadline on Tuesday. Winning does cure some things.
If the Cubs are going to buy, they should consider getting people that fit the right areas of the field for them.
Third base is a good place to start. They’ve had a lot of players play that position out of place this year. It is one thing to be a good hitter but that is a position that needs a good defender.
Jeimer Candelariois someone that makes a ton of sense for the Cubs via trade if they are in fact buying. He could come to the Chicago Cubs in a trade package like this:
Trade One
The Chicago Cubs would love to add Jeimer Candelario for their run.
Jeimer Candelario would come to the north side of Chicago and automatically be the starting third baseman. With a WAR of 3.2 so far this season, he’d fit right in.
With Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and whoever they have playing first base that day, it would be a great infield. The Cubs could definitely win with a group like that.
Brennan Davis was a top-two prospect for the Cubs for a long time and he used to even be in the MLB Top-100. However, things have kind of fallen off for him lately.
If he wants to reach his goal of playing in MLB, a change of scenery could be needed. Kevin Made, the number 14 prospect, is a shortstop also looking for opportunities to continue his development.
Trade Two
The Chicago Cubs could make a big move for Jeimer Candelario in 2023.
Jeimer Candelario is someone worth giving up some talent for. He fits the needs of the Cubs and has been having a sensational year so far.
As he approaches free agency this fall/winter, he could be nothing more than a rental but the Cubs could use a guy like that because it very well could lower the price.
Nick Madrigal is an okay player but the Cubs would certainly not be so sad to see him go. If anything, Candelario would be filling up his last chance to get in the lineup.
As for Cristian Hernandez, he is a teenager that could become a star or could never see a Major League field. It is risky business but Washington is totally okay with being on the purchasing side of that coin.
Two decent young players for one really good player is kind of how the trade market works sometimes, especially for a player that has a really high chance of leaving once the year is over.
Trade Three
The Chicago Cubs might have to pay a bit more for Jeimer Candelario right now.
The Chicago Cubs are a team that isn’t afraid to spend here and there. They might consider beginning Candelario back if he wanted to come back after being acquired.
If they could retain him, Bellinger, and Stroman for next year, great things could happen for the franchise.
Matt Mervis is a first base prospect that some folks are excited about but the Cubs could have plenty of options to play that position instead.
Ed Howard is only 21 years old but he has fallen in the prospect rankings as well. If the shortstop found his way into another organization that isn’t so close to home, he might thrive.
Drew Gray is their number 28 prospect but he is a left-handed pitcher so Washington might consider having him in as a throw-in.
That is three solid prospects coming in for a player that is going to leave the Nationals anyway. If the Cubs made a deal like this, the fans would certainly be happy.