CHICAGO -- It has been known for a while now that the Cubs will look to add to the ballclub before next week’s Trade Deadline.
Not that it needed to be, but waking up Wednesday morning tied for the best record in the Majors might’ve helped confirm that even more. But Chicago had held at least a share of first place in the National League Central for all but one day since April 4. The Cubs (60-42) have been above .500 since April 2, and they’ve been at least 10 games above .500 since May 21.
For the first time since Jed Hoyer took over as president of baseball operations prior to the 2021 season, the North Siders were clear buyers -- and remain clear buyers, too -- weeks before the Deadline. Now that it’s eight days away, is Hoyer close on anything?
“Honestly, it feels like the whole industry is not close on anything,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said before an 8-4 loss to the Royals at Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon that dropped Chicago into second place -- one game back of the division-leading Brewers (61-41).
Such is the reality of the Trade Deadline -- set for 5 p.m. CT on July 31 -- where movement seems to centralize within the few days and hours leading up to it.
“It'll pick up as we go,” Hoyer said last week, “but I always caution you guys that, yes, there'll be some deals, but the expectation, always, is that things happen the last couple days. This is the nature of a deadline.”
If that’s the case for the Cubs this year, then there are a handful of days left to examine areas for potential additions and upgrades to the roster.
The main area of focus seems to be in the rotation. That group, led by All-Star Matthew Boyd, has pitched admirably as the injury bug has hit, sporting a 3.93 ERA that is tied for 13th in the Majors.
“I don't think it's something you overthink or anything,” said Colin Rea, who allowed six runs (five earned) over five innings in Wednesday’s loss. “It's just go out there, do your job [and] each man coming in every single day trying to find ways to get better. … No matter who it is, stepping up and filling that role with the injuries. I think we've done a good job with that so far.”
Those guys have helped keep the rotation going, but that depth has been challenged and worked a lot this season. Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad are nearing returns (potentially mid-August), but there’s no guarantee that injuries won’t continue to impact the starting group.
Chicago has been linked to a number of starting pitchers, ranging from top-of-the-rotation arms to more depth pieces. Regardless of who it is, it would make sense to add at least one rotation arm before the club can no longer acquire one.
The bullpen should get some focus, too. Despite owning the 10th-best combined ERA (3.78) in the Majors, the relievers have also combined for just a 20.1% strikeout rate (27th in MLB) -- though, to their credit, they have an 8.4% walk rate (tied for fourth best).
Daniel Palencia has taken over the closer role, and while he’s been spectacular, the 25-year-old also hasn’t experienced a big league postseason. The Cubs will likely check on veteran back-end arms ahead of the Trade Deadline to bolster the 'pen.
And then there’s third base. Cubs third basemen entered Wednesday with a combined 60 wRC+ (worst in MLB) and -0.3 fWAR (third worst in MLB).
Matt Shaw has started the most games at the hot corner this season, though he’s gone through his rookie struggles. He’s progressed well defensively, but he entered the All-Star break hitting .198 with a .556 OPS. However, in six games in the second half, Shaw has hit .474 (9-for-19) with three home runs and a 1.421 OPS.
At least since the break, trade rumors regarding external third basemen haven’t affected his play -- though he said he’s managed to avoid that talk.
“I have no idea what kind of trade rumors are out there,” Shaw said. “I think just really not following that stuff makes it really easy to not worry about it.”
Third base seems to be lower on the priority list than acquiring more arms, but either way, Chicago has played itself into a position to potentially add some big pieces. That makes for an electric atmosphere around Wrigleyville.
“I'm excited for the Deadline for us,” Shaw said. “We're a good team, and I think we're going to do continuous things to try to win a World Series, so that'll be exciting.”