Cubs Rumors: New top five likeliest trade targets for Chicago

Jun 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher

(58) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Cardinals, 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

On the heels of a sweep at the hands of the worst team in Major League Baseball, the Chicago Cubs’ weaknesses were on full-display this weekend. Which pieces should they add to make a run at October?

Chicago (51-46) has now dropped six of ten and has seen its deficit in the division grow to 10 1/2 games and in the National League Wild Card race, they now sit two games back of the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

One of the most popular trade targets for the team, left-hander Cole Hamels, no-hit Chicago on Saturday at Wrigley Field and, since then, two teams – the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers – have emerged as the front-runners for Hamels’ services.

As co-editor Nicholas Blazek pointed out Sunday afternoon, the sweep at the hands of the Phillies was easily the low-point for Joe Maddon‘s team, which is ripe with inexperience, despite their successes so far in 2015.

So if the southpaw doesn’t come to the Windy City ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, what players do Chicago stand a realistic chance of adding?

Next: Joaquin Benoit

Jun 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake (44) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Leake – Cincinnati Reds

After teammate Johnny Cueto was dealt to the Kansas City Royals this weekend, Leake appears amongst the next dominoes to fall in the Reds’ impending rebuild.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported last week that Chicago ‘liked’ Leake, who has dominated the Cubs throughout his big league career, going 9-2 in 19 starts against them.

Outside of wanting to make sure they don’t have to face him down the stretch, Leake is a guy who should come with a relatively reasonable price tag, unlike names like Hamels and the Tigers’ David Price.

Leake has pitched to a 3.78 ERA, 3.94 FIP and 1.181 WHIP this year for Cincinnati and, although he’s yet-another rental on the market, he could be more attractive to Chicago given he won’t demand a return involving top talent.

The back end of the Cubs rotation has been a major issue this season, despite the fine work turned in by the trio of Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel. Adding someone like Leake would be a great step toward remedying that situation.

Next: Gerardo Parra

Jul 17, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Gerardo Parra (28) drives in a run with a base hit in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Gerardo Parra – Milwaukee Brewers

I touched on the Milwaukee outfielder earlier this month when I broke down some options the Cubs have in terms of shoring up their outfield ranks.

Since then, I’ve only grown to like Parra more.

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When you look at his splits alongside Dexter Fowler‘s, the idea of trading for him only seems more appealing.

Fowler has struggled against righties in his first year in Chicago – and his struggles are notably worse than his career marks. Entering play Monday, the veteran is batting just .209/.300/.351 against right-handers.

Parra, meanwhile, carries a .320/.356/.510 slash-line into the final week of July – which only makes one think that a platoon of Parra and Fowler would make the Cubs better on a daily basis.

Milwaukee desperately needs to rebuild their organization – at least unload some of their more attractive pieces – if they want to contend in the near-future. The Cubs could look within their division for stretch-run help, both helping themselves and the Brewers in the process.

Next: Mat Latos

May 5, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Mat Latos (35) pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Mat Latos – Miami Marlins

After emerging as a quality big league starter with the Reds over the past few seasons, the right-hander Latos has taken a major step backwards this year – his first in Miami.

Latos, still not yet 30 years of age, has a 3.43 career earned run average in just over 1,000 innings of work. He’s pitched to a near-identical 3.40 FIP and has won at least 10 games on three separate occasions.

Under contract through just this season, Latos could look to re-establish value in the season’s second-half and in Chicago, he would have the opportunity to do just that as a back-end member of the Cubs rotation.

In his Major League career, Latos has shown his ability to work effectively. This season has been the outlier in terms of his performance and if the Marlins don’t trade the righty, I’d be rather surprised.

Next: Tyson Ross

Jun 26, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross (38) pitches during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Tyson Ross – San Diego Padres

The San Diego right-hander is perhaps one of the most appealing trade pieces available this week, given his high upside and controllability over the next few seasons.

This year, Ross is tied for the league lead with 21 starts for the Padres. In those nearly-two dozen starts, he has 132 strikeouts, but also leads the league with 57 base-on balls. Coming off his first All-Star selection, there’s still plenty to like about him.

In a pair of starts against Chicago this season, Ross has seen mixed results, posting an ERA in the 4.00 range. That being said, he’d be a very high upside arm to slot in near the middle of the rotation, perhaps behind Hammel.

If the Padres do indeed sell, the Cubs have to at least inquire about Ross. While Andrew Cashner, a former Cub himself, is also rumored to be available, he’d likely fetch a much higher asking price.

Look for the Cubs to shore up the back end. But if they miss-out on Cole Hamels, there won’t be an ace added ahead of Friday’s trade deadline.

Next: Tigers' Price tempting, but not worth it for Cubs