Chicago Cubs: Five realistic trade targets as we approach the deadline

February 25, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein during a spring training workout at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

At 24-20, the Chicago Cubs are squarely in the playoff race this season. They do trail the St. Louis Cardinals by 4.5 games in the National League Central, but the Cubs are right in the mix for the two NL Wild Card spots. Led by their incredible young core of players, the Cubs are a very dangerous team this season, and especially going forward.

As talented as this roster is, the Cubs do have some holes that need addressed if they are to make some serious noise this season. For starters, the bullpen has been shaky all year long. Set-up man Pedro Strop and closer Hector Rondon make up a very talented back-end of the bullpen, but even their performances have been inconsistent. Aside from the recent return of Justin Grimm, the middle relief portion of the Cubs’ bullpen has been shaky to say the least.

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There have been many times this season where the Cubs have blown leads trying to get the ball to the back-end of their bullpen. The expected return of Neil Ramirez down the line will certainly help, but the Cubs need a solid veteran who they can count on to get outs in the bullpen.

In the rotation, the top three of Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel have been as good, if not better than expect for the Cubs. Unfortunately, the back-end of the rotation has not been very impressive. Kyle Hendricks has turned things around recently, capped by his complete game shutout in his most recent start. Hendricks now has a 4.14 ERA, which is plenty good for a fifth starter, but his play has been inconsistent.

The Cubs recently moved Travis Wood to the bullpen after his ugly start to the season, replacing him with fellow lefty Tsuyoshi Wada. Wada has been very good through two starts (10 innings pitched, only three earned runs, 15 strikeouts and only three walks), but it is not like he is a sure-thing going forward.

The Cubs would probably be fine with Hendricks and Wada rounding out the rotation for the rest of the season, but this is a team with World Series upside. If they expect to have a chance to reach their potential, adding another impact starter will probably have to be in the cards.

With probably the best collection of prospects in all of baseball, the Cubs have a ton of players who will be enticing to teams looking to sell at the deadline. Not only do they have players who they can trade, the Cubs have so many good prospects that they must start trading some of them.

As constructed, Theo Epstein and his staff will have many difficult decisions to make this offseason. The Cubs have a ton of talent that will be eligible to be selected in the Rule Five draft this offseason. There are many very interesting prospects who the Cubs will have to either protect by promoting to the 40-man roster or risk losing completely.

The most well-known name putting the Cubs in this predicament is 22-year-old first baseman Dan Vogelbach, who is tearing up Double-A with a .320/.436/.497 triple slash line. Vogelbach has a great approach at the plate and a ton of power in his bat. The Cubs could use him as a very valuable trade chip before the deadline this season.

Vogelbach is just one of many players who will force the Cubs hand this offseason if they do not make a move. Because of this, I fully expect them to be aggressive this trading season.

This roster has a ton of upside, and with a few key additions, they could really make some noise during the postseason.

Without further ado, here are five players who the Cubs should be targeting in a trade.

Next: A Great Left-Handed Starter

Scott Kazmir, LHP, Oakland Athletics

May 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) throws during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, the Cubs and Athletics got together on a major trade, and they seem to fit well as trading partners once again this season. At 17-30, the A’s seem ready to sell-off this trading season, and they have some nice pieces who could fit what the Cubs are looking for.

Most notably, left-handed starting pitcher Scott Kazmir, who is pitching very well with a 3.09 ERA this season. Kazmir was once a hard thrower who has rejuvenated his career in recent years using a more crafty approach. He is a very smart pitcher who has a good breaking ball, and locates his pitches very well.

Kazmir has learned to mix speed and locations like a pro, and his ability would certainly help the Cubs’ rotation going forward. Replacing a guy like Wada or Hendricks for Kazmir would be a major addition for the Cubs.

Vogelbach, in particular, seems like a player who Billy Beane would love to have. His patient approach and huge power would fit right in with what the A’s like to do. These two teams appear to be a great match as trade partners.

Next: A Familiar Face in the Starting Rotation

Jeff Samardzija, RHP, Chicago White Sox

May 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) throws against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Now this would be interesting. The main piece going from the Cubs to the A’s in that trade last July was right-handed starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija. The A’s then moved him to the Chicago White Sox this offseason, and the results have been mixed. As of right now, Samardzija is sitting with a 4.28 ERA through 61 innings pitched this season.

He has certainly struggled in 2015 with White Sox, and that is a reason they are in last place in the American League Central at 19-23. Samardzija becomes a free agent this offseason, and unless the White Sox turn things around quickly, he is very likely to be available for trade before this year’s deadline.

Samardzija being a target for the Cubs both now, and in the off season makes plenty of sense. His rapport with pitching coach Chris Bosio seemed to be great in his later stages with the Cubs, and I think Bosio may be the guy to get him back on track. Samardzija was more successful with the Cubs than either the A’s or White Sox, and the comfort level is certainly there.

With the Cubs now ready to compete, Samardzija would likely be very motivated to help out his former squad for the stretch run. His inclusion in to the starting rotation would be huge, as his talent and upside would give them a potentially elite starting staff.

Next: A Widely-Available Dominant Closer

Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

May 18, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) delivers a pitch during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Philies won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

While the starting rotation could use some work, the upgrades needed in the bullpen are more obvious. The best relief pitcher expected to be available before the trade deadline is the Philadelphia Phillies’ Jonathan Papelbon.

Papelbon got his start under Epstein with the Boston Red Sox. He has been one of the most dominating closers in the game over the past ten years, and his 1.50 ERA and 11-for-11 in save opportunities this season proves that he still has it. The Phillies are a team going nowhere this season, and have shown a ton of interest in moving Papelbon.

He does come with roughly $10 million owed to him for the rest of the season, and a $13 million option for next year. The option is automatically picked up if Papelbon finishes 55 games this season, and he has already finished 17. With his steep contract, and the Phillies being obvious contenders, the Cubs may be able to pick up Papelbon for fairly cheap. Regardless, he is a great fit for the team right now.

It would be interesting to see how the Cubs used Papelbon if they were to acquire him. Rondon has nasty stuff, and while he has been inconsistent this season, it has not been bad enough to warrant losing his job. Also, with the $13 million option, the Cubs may be better off using Papelbon in a set-up role so his option does not automatically kick in.

No matter how they use him, Papelbon would tremendously solidify the Cubs’ bullpen. He is one of the best relief pitchers in the game, and would be a fantastic addition by Epstein and the Cubs.

Next: A Reliable and Extremely Versatile Veteran Bat

Ben Zobrist, 2B/OF, Oakland Athletics

Apr 18, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Ben Zobrist (18) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs do not have as many needs offensively as they do on the pitching side. They have a roster loaded with young position players, and while some have not hit their stride yet, it is not easy to find an open everyday position available. Chris Coghlan has been a solid left fielder for the Cubs this season, but he is the one everyday player who could be easily upgraded.

Perhaps the call-up of Javier Baez would move Kris Bryant to left field, and Kyle Schwarber could also be called up to take starts in left field. Coghlan has been decent himself, and there are upgrades available on the roster, but I could see the Cubs going outside to upgrade their offense as well. Ben Zobrist feels like a perfect fit.

Zobrist was a favorite of current Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon while the two were in Tampa Bay, and his position versatility alone could help the Cubs tremendously.

Zobrist was a trade target of the Cubs this offseason, so it is easy to see how there could be interest once again. Zobrist is only hitting .240/.304/.400 with the A’s, but he has played both corner outfield spots and second base this season. Acquiring Zobrist would probably not come at a huge cost for the Cubs, and he could be a potential upgrade in left field for the team, while also bringing a lot of depth across the infield.

Maddon clearly loves Zobrist as a player, and adding his versatility to the roster would be a major win. If Zobrist cannot hold up offensively, the Cubs still have viable options on the roster, and Zobrist becomes an extremely valuable bench piece. Adding Zobrist into a trade with the Cubs also getting Kazmir seems to make a lot of sense.

Next: A Forgotten Mets' Starter