Chicago Cubs: Buyers or Sellers?

 What kind of team will the Chicago Cubs come the trade deadline? 

This is a term that we’ve said a lot and you’ve heard a lot – it’s early in the season. It is early but it’s never too early to think about trades that the Chicago Cubs could make or who could be involved in those trades. Probably the real question will be if the Cubs are buyers or sellers this year.

For most teams that depends on their place in the standings but for the Chicago Cubs I don’t see that being a factor as much. The way I see it for the Cubs is that they will be both buyers and sellers at the deadline. I expect they will be very active through the whole trading period even with the waiver period.

If they are realistically in contention for the Central or for a wild card spot – expect the Cubs to go after a veteran power bat of some sorts; preferably one that could play multiple positions but at least someone who has that power to pinch hit. They will also likely want to add another veteran reliever to the bullpen.

If Baltimore were to fall in the standings, they could be a team looking to shed payroll. They have Steve Pearce who would be very nice to have – maybe a bit unrealistic but it would be nice. Pearce came out of nowhere last year to be a good source of power for the Orioles – batting .293 with 21 homers in 102 games.

Pearce has hit two homers with a .175 average so far this season.

A more affordable option could be Minnesota Twins’ Trevor Plouffe. He is able to play most of the infield and the corner outfield spots.  Last year he posted a .258 batting average with 14 home runs.  This year he’s hitting .205 with 2 homers.  The Twins are in a heavy rebuilding stage and will want prospects.

Plouffe still arbitration eligible is affordable and versatile. By the time the trade deadline hits he’ll be 29-years-old, lower to mid-level prospects could land him.

The Phillies will be selling heavily and trying to acquire as many prospects as possible. Before the season started there were rumors of Ben Revere being available. He is a good contact hitter with speed but no power.

He’s struggling (the Phillies as a team are struggling) at the plate – only batting .167 currently – a far cry from his .306 average last year while leading the National League in hits with 184. The price on him and most Phillies are high now and might stay that way unless they are very desperate to dump players.

As far as the Chicago Cubs and selling goes – I don’t see their record being an issue one way or the other. Injuries would be the factor on any players being moved. I do see Jason Motte, Phil Coke, Tsuyoshi Wada, Edwin Jackson, Chris Denorfia, and Welington Castillo being available.

If the Cubs were to be out of contention for either the division or the wild card and a team called about Travis Wood, I could see his name being added to the list.

I don’t think any major moves will be made like the addition of a Cole Hamels or Yovani Gallardo but smaller moves that are made usually are the ones that pay off the most for contending teams.

Remember the under the radar trade back in 2003 the Chicago Cubs made getting Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramirez and how much of an impact they made.

Next: Who will go back to the minors now?

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