Cubs Rumors: Five pitchers the Cubs could target at the deadline

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret the Cubs would like to add another arm to the rotation down the stretch. How far are they willing to go to add a top-tier starter?

The Chicago Cubs surprised many when they went out and outbid for the services of Jon Lester in the offseason. Some say it as wishful thinking, others as a sign the team was ready to compete this season. Both may have been right, but now the Cubs find themselves still clinging to the second Wild Card spot and pitching on their minds.

For the sake of not beating a dead horse, I’m leaving Cole Hamels off this list. It’s not that the Cubs aren’t going to pursue him or aren’t already. We know where all that stands. Instead, I’ve picked a few that you may have seen linked to the Cubs already, and a few that you haven’t. We’ve got second half rentals, potential offseason targets, and a familiar face.

So without further ado, let’s look at the potential Cubs pitchers of the second half.

Next: Is the Price right now or later?

Detroit Tigers – David Price – Free agent after this season: 9-3, 2.32 ERA, 127 K’s, 132 IP

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers David Price is probably the most intriguing on several different fronts. First off, many believe he was one of the Cubs top targets for the upcoming offseason. The Tigers know he’s likely to test the market, and with things not going so well in Detroit getting value while you can for him is the smart move.

The value of this deal would be completely dictated by the Tigers asking price. If the shoot too high, most teams–including the Cubs–will very likely back down and just wait to get into a bidding war for his services next season. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer want to add to this team, but not at the cost of top prospects.

There is always the intriguing chance that should they bring Price over and the Cubs did perform well he would be more inclined to sign with them. He’s familiar with Joe Maddon, and there seems to be mutual interest.

Next: We should do business again..

Oakland A’s – Scott Kazmir – Free agent after this season: 5-5, 2.38 ERA, 101 K’s, 109.2 IP

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Reports from Bruce Levine have the Cubs in contact with the A’s about Scott Kazmir as a possible addition. Once again, there are ties to Joe Maddon (Is there anyone in baseball not tied to Maddon?). Added to that, the Cubs have had a history of making trades with the A’s, as recently as last season. So could the roles be reversed this season with a chance for Oakland to get some talent back from the Cubs?

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Billy Beane generally doesn’t believe in rebuilding, so it’s believed his demands are going to be Triple-A prospects on the cusp of being big league ready.While the Cubs are trying to decide if they are a true contender this year, they must decide how much to sacrifice for a second-half rental.

The Cubs would by all means like to add a lefty to the rotation, and Kazmir has been one of the best even though the record doesn’t reflect that. He has a WHIP of 1.085, and he keeps the ball in the park. That would likely change as the spacious O.co Coliseum is a bit easier to keep the ball in than Wrigley Field. But sliding Kazmir into the bottom of the rotation would give them a formidable staff top to bottom.

Next: Second time is a charm..

San Diego Padres – James Shield – Signed thru 2018: 8-3, 3.92 ERA, 137 K’s, 127.2 IP

Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs were in the mix right down to the end with James Shields this offseason, but they didn’t want to offer any more that two-years on a deal. Maybe two and a half could work out instead. After the massive spending frenzy by Padres new GM A.J. Preller in the offseason, the season has not gone the way they hoped as they sit 8 1/2 games back in the NL West.

The Padres are looking to avoid calling it an overhaul, and just a slight rebuild. Shields didn’t sign for much more than the Cubs were looking to offer, and with taking on the contract the asking price should be reasonable for the Cubs to consider.

While his K/9 rate is the best of his career right now at 10.1, he’s also allowed the long ball more frequently. At 1.5 HR/9, that matches the highest of his career–and he pitches in a ballpark that is generally known as “pitcher-friendly”. While signed through 2018, Shields does have an opt-out in 2016, making this a potentially intriguing deal for the Cubs.

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Miami Marlin – Dan Haren – Free agent after this season: 7-5, 3.46 ERA, 81 K’s, 117 IP

Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

In 2013, the Cubs tried to trade Carlos Marmol to the Angels for Dan Haren. It looked like a done deal. And then the trade fell through. The misery we could have avoided. Now the Cubs may try again to land Haren, who at the time was sold on coming to Chicago. That wasn’t a good time for the Cubs then, so imagine what he might think about pitching in Chicago now.

Haren might not be the same pitcher he was then, now with a few more innings on his arm. But if we’re strictly speaking as an upgrade for the fifth starter? This is a winner. Miami isn’t very good, and he’s managed to post a winning record with an ERA under 4.00 and a WHIP of 1.085. He doesn’t strike batters out like some of the other possibilities, but he wouldn’t need to.

The Cubs aren’t looking for an ace, just a reliable number five to eat innings and get outs. Haren can provide just that as he keeps the ball in play with a Cubs defense that hasn’t been atrocious. Not great, but satisfactory. Hopefully, Haren hasn’t forgotten the thought of pitching in Wrigley, but this time for a contender, not the 101 loss team he almost was part of.

Next: Changing sides of town?

White Sox – Jeff Samardzija – Free agent after this season: 6-5, 4.08 ERA, 105 Ks, 132.1 IP

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

There was a solid contingent that wanted to see the Cubs sign Samardzija at one time. But as good as the potential was, the consistency wasn’t there and the asking price was way too much. So the Cubs packaged him up with Jason Hammel and sent them to Oakland. Hammel’s back, so how about a reunion?

The White Sox are another team that spent big in the offseason, only to have it backfire on them. Now they sit dead last in the AL Central with no real indication of making a move up in the standings. So with Samardzija bound to go elsewhere after the season the Sox will look to get something in return. So why not relocate to the good side of town for a few months?

Look, I thought Samardzija was going to be our ace at one point, but that never happened. As good as he could look, he could look just as bad. Now with his third team in three years, nothing has changed. Dominant at times, but plagued by the long ball still. While nothing has changed there, the Cubs would know what they’re getting, and Shark seemed to be as consistent with pitching coach Chris Bosio in Wrigley as he as anywhere else. 

Next: So who will it be?