Poll: Who is the Next Cub to Be Traded?

Jul 13, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder

(12) is congratulated for hitting a home run by catcher

(30) during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

While the attention of baseball will turn to the All Star Game tonight in New York, Theo Epstein and the Cubs front office will remain plugged in and glued to their phones as they continue to navigate the trade waters. We are basically at the halfway point in the month of July, with the trade deadline being 3 pm CST on Wednesday the 31st. The Cubs currently sit with a 42-51 record, compared to 33-52 at the All Star break last year. While the North Siders have been playing better in the last week or so, the trade of Scott Feldman to begin July confirms that the Cubs are indeed sellers. Now it is just a question of who will be traded. To take it a step further, who will be the next to follow Feldman out the door with an eye on the future in mind?

Matt Garza’s name has drawn the most attention, and rightfully so as the top starter available on the trading block. Kevin Gregg’s stabilization of the back end of the Cubs pen has not only helped the team on the field, but should net the organization a decent prospect to stock in the farm system as well. Dioner Navarro has been one of the best back up catchers in the league while mentoring starter Welington Castillo, and the pudgy back stop has basically become Garza’s personal catcher. The former Red would certainly help solidify the catching depth of a contending team. Then there is James Russell. Left handed relief pitching is worth its weight in gold and Russell is certainly in the top tier of that vocation.

Then there is Alfonso Soriano, who could have been traded last year but blocked the deal. The veteran left fielder continues to state that he enjoys being in Chicago and would like to win here, but the long term plan does not see the Cubs contending until 2015, a year after his current contract expires. Will Soriano finally ok a deal to send him to a playoff team and a shot at a championship ring?

Make your pick and feel free to also leave a comment with your choice for bragging rights.