Chicago Cubs Rumors: Is trading Kyle Schwarber the answer?

The Chicago Cubs needs in the bullpen are apparent, but would trading Kyle Schwarber be the answer? Theo Epstein says no, but some don’t agree.

There have been all sorts of trade rumors with the trade deadline approaching. Most recently a deal that would send Kyle Schwarber to the New York Yankees for a fresh arm or two for the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen. The Cubs’ pitching staff has given up a total of 18 runs throughout their 3 game skid and have not received much offensive help from the lineup. Before Yankee fans get too excited about the possibilities, they need to hear about the internal moves the Cubs are counting on rather than dealing away Schwarber.

Adam Warren will be making his way back to the bullpen as soon as he has wrapped up his latest assignment as the Cubs’ sixth starter. It’s only a matter of time before the left arm of Clayton Richard will return from the disabled list as he looks forward to turning his year around in the second half of the season.

Brian Matusz is currently in Mesa, Arizona at the Cubs facility preparing for the big leagues. Jack Leathersich is throwing the ball for the Cubs rookie team and Joe Nathan is currently on rehab assignment with the Double-A Tennessee roster. Odds are, you will hear of one of these names in the Chicago bullpen before anyone who is currently pitching in New York.

President of Cubs baseball operations, Theo Epstein, sounded more than firm in his attempt to downplay rumors of a trade that would send Schwarber to the Yankees. “I’m looking forward to Kyle Schwarber, who got hurt in a Cubs uniform and is working his butt off in a Cubs uniform, coming back and hitting a very big home run in a Cubs uniform sometime very early next season,” Epstein told reporters.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon was quick to defend his team, especially the pitching staff. He made it a point to remind reporters that the Cubs’ bullpen has been on the mound less than any other team in the National League and they are second as far as the opposing team’s batting average is concerned.

Madden said of his team’s performance so far this year:

“I’m very happy with where we’re at. We talked about getting off to a good start so we could absorb some tough moments. A tough moment for us right now is playing .500. Not bad,”

While the manager had some good points to throw out at anyone who would listen, there are a couple numbers that he forgot to mention. The Cubs’ bullpen started the season on fire with an ERA of 2.72 throughout the month of April. They began to show a few brief signs of weakness in May, finishing the month with a 3.80 ERA. Chicago finished the month of June with an ERA of 3.96. Regardless of how they decide to handle the issue, this is becoming a trend the Cubs can’t afford to continue.