Chicago Cubs Rumors: What areas are still the focus prior to the deadline?

Starting Pitching

This is a tough area for Theo and Co. to assess because if they choose to make a move, it will, for the most part, be based on past history and not current results. Since the break, the Cubs starters have once again found their mojo and returned to the level they were at prior to the All-Star break. The two presumptive “weak links” — Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks— have pitched well and haven’t shown signs of dropping off–yet—in the second half.

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Hammel has dropped off in the past two years, and his career numbers indicate that (56-45 in the first half, 23-37 in the second half). More relevant than the record is the ERA that jumps from 3.99 to 5.05 for his career. Hammel has made adjustments to his delivery as well as to his physical well-being, so would it be worth writing him off just yet?

Jim Bowden of ESPN recently discussed the top five teams that have a chance to pry away Chris Sale from the White Sox, and he had the Cubs at the top of that list (Subscription required). The proposed package was Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber, Kyle Hendricks and Jeimer Candelario. Absolutely no way in hell is this trade reasonable. Look, Sale is a great pitcher, one of the best in the game. But Happ and Schwarber are two of the best finds in the draft offensively, and Hendricks only continues to get better. Team control at a great rate or not, that’s not worth giving up. On top of that? Sale is still beatable and his mechanics concern me more than his “jersey destruction” hissy fit.

Chris Archer is another name that continues to surface, but I don’t feel like the Cubs are as vested as they once were in Archer. At 5-14 it’s been a steady decline from where he was last season, and the is up from 3.23 to 4.42. One of the biggest issues has been the long ball as Archer has allowed 21 this season–two more than he allowed all of last year. It could simply be a hiccup in his career, but the Cubs will want to improve things for this year, not just for the future. I don’t feel Archer would be an upgrade at this point.

Other names mentioned: Rich Hill, Taijuan Walker

Next: Strengthen the offense?

Outfield Help

The list of outfielders that have graced the rumor wire has been long, with guys like Josh Reddick and Charlie Blackmon to even Carlos Gonzalez (More of a pipe dream, but never say never). When the season started, the outfield was so crowded the Cubs had to downsize, trading Chris Coghlan away because there was simply no place for him to play. When Schwarber went down the dynamic of things changed.

Jorge Soler and Jason Heyward struggled out of the gate. Dexter Fowler missed time to injury, and suddenly it seemed the Cubs weren’t as content with the outfield situation as they once thought. Coghlan was brought back, and Albert Almora made his Cubs debut. Soler seemed to be finding his swing before injury once again took him out of the lineup, so when he returns we’ll have to see what happens with him.

The return of Fowler seems to have settled things a bit, and yesterday’s 12-1 against the Mariners saw solid contribution from Coghlan and Heyward. Coghlan is a part-time player and nothing more, but if he can do what he did last season for the Cubs, he’s valuable. Heyward’s defense has been the talk, but that’s because there’s been very little offense to speak of. The Cubs have managed the best record in baseball without his bat, so a turnaround by him could be as good as adding someone at the deadline.

Next: Little moves are the expected

Small deals are all we’ll likely see

The Cubs will be front and center in many of the rumors you see in the next few days. Getting Chapman was a move that the team didn’t necessarily want to make–meaning for a rental player–but they weren’t willing to give up Schwarber for anyone. And Chapman has already looked worth the deal, even if it was just one game. But by pushing back Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop an inning, and using matchups in innings prior, the Cubs bullpen went from a concern to one of their strengths.

If they do add someone, it’s likely to be depth. The possibility of Coghlan being moved or even Matt Sczur is high because of the lack of options. Look, Sczur has been phenomenal. But if he hits the waiver wire, he’s gone. And given the chance to play every day, he could be a solid outfielder for someone. Use it or lose it might need to be the thinking in some of these moves.

Personally, I like the makeup of this team as it is now. Is there room for improvement? Sure. There always is. But at what cost? With Carl Edwards, Jr. and Joe Nathan settling in and Justin Grimm looking better than he did for a stretch, the bullpen should be fine. If Soler and Coghlan platoon and help fill the left field situation 80 percent of the time we’re good there.

Next: A trade years in the making

Again, the starting pitching is one of the most intriguing because you’ll have to make that move on anticipation. Will Hammel collapse? Will Hendricks or even Jake Arrieta run out of gas? What are you willing to give up based on that presumption? Two days to go, and we’ll have plenty to talk about.