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3 Cubs Already on the Trade Block After First Two Months of Season

Summer approaches - which Cubs are on the chopping block as the dog days loom?

By Zach Elliott

Apr 29, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Nick Madrigal (1) grounds in to a fielder choice, scoring right fielder DJ Stewart (not pictured) during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Nick Madrigal (1) grounds in to a fielder choice, scoring right fielder DJ Stewart (not pictured) during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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3) Adbert Alzolay

After posting a 2.67 ERA and emerging as the Cubs’ closer late last season, Alzolay’s disconcerting start has further rocked a precarious bullpen.

Currently on the IL with a right forearm strain, the 29-year-old converted starter has regressed to a 4.67 ERA after his first truly impactful season in 2023. His ERA has ballooned to 4.67 with an unsettling 7.36 FIP – largely from allowing 3.1 home runs per nine and striking out less than seven. By the same token, Alzolay is in the 1st percentile for barrel percentage allowed, meaning he is one of the worst pitchers to this point in allowing powerful contact.

Given his semi-breakout last year, I’m willing to chock much of this up to injury. Across 64 innings as a reliever in 2023, Alzolay finally demonstrated a combination of stuff and control, tempering fires that the bullpen often started last season.

As a 29-year-old with a chance to right the ship and rediscover what made him so valuable last year, he represents the fine line a team with contending aspirations must walk. Could he get healthy and internally resolve a glaring bullpen weakness? Of course. On the other hand, selling another team on his chance to find the 2023 Alzolay may net a safer arm (or bat) for the immediate term.

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