Chicago Cubs: With Cubs as buyers, several players are attractive bait

The Chicago Cubs are nearly a complete team, but will be looking to upgrade a few spots before August. Good thing they possess impressive options for other teams.

The fun is back! Over the past 10 days, the Chicago Cubs showed signs of life and enjoyment of the game. Players like Ben Zobrist and Anthony Rizzo are hitting with more confidence. Jon Lester threw a ” Greg Maddux” game (meaning a complete game with less than 100 pitches). And the bullpen just keeps dancing.

There are still some holes to fill, spots that need to be addressed. Questions remain on what lineup is best or who plays regularly in the outfield. Is the starting rotation strong enough to propel the team to the top?

The talent accumulated by Theo Epstein and company continues to pile up. A good problem to have, but a problem all the same. The outfield is overloaded with players that need and deserve playing time. The presence of Albert Almora Jr and Ian Happ is causing a conundrum for the front office. As is the performance of prospects in the minors.

It is a novel time to pose the question: Which of the non-untouchable players are the Chicago Cubs are on the trading block? Teams will call, but what five players are the best bait?

#5: The Catcher in the Rye

Maybe it is time to break up. We don’t want to, but the time may just be best to do it now and not later. It is not us, it is him. He looked so enticing, strong and confident, with a side of dorky school boy. But, the interest is just not the same.

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That said, if we let him go now, will it haunt us? Will seeing him with another team make our stomach want to jump out of our chest only to be used as a wrestling mat for our hearts to pummel our brains?

Kyle Schwarber, we love having you on the team. Maybe putting you in the leadoff spot is the reason why you seem so distant now. Or, maybe our eye was captured by the performance of Ian Happ and Albert Almora Jr.

You deserve better. You deserve to play every day. The thing is, I am not sure it is with the Chicago Cubs now. I know that fan everywhere are reading, armed loaded with a rock and taking aim. But, let us find the logical truth.

Half of his hits are for extra bases, but he only has 29 hits. With 91 fewer at-bats, Jon Jay has 25 hits. Your offensive WAR is the lowest on the team, including pitchers. Defensively, you are the seventh-best on the team.

But, the potential price tag you carry may be the answer to the rotation shortage.

#4: The Mark and the void

It is easy to see why a trade of Mark Zagunis makes sense. The stats speak for themselves. Sure, the .248 batting average at Triple-A Iowa is not great, but look at the rest his performance.

He owns a .392 on-base percentage, seven doubles, seven home runs, 25 runs batted in, 30 runs scored and 29 walks.

Not bad at all. When you include defense into the mix, Zagunis is a great overall player. He already has three outfield assists this season. However, the major concern is playing time. Can he break on to the Cubs roster and contribute as an outfielder? It’s possible.

But with Happ, Almora, Heyward and Schwarber (likely) establishing residence in the Wrigley outfield, space for Zagunis is limited. Add the overall Cubs’ roster, and it will be near-impossible for him to see regular time in Chicago.

Matt Szczur already fell victim to the outfield depth. Zagunis makes a great addition in a trade package for a starting pitcher. Sure, he’s no blue-chip piece, but that doesn’t mean he lacks value.

#3: The Invisible Man

Question: WITHOUT LOOKING, which qualified Chicago Cubs player leads the team in batting average and on-base percentage?

Follow-up question: Do you know the contract terms of the player who answers the first question?

Answer: Jon Jay, who signed a one-year, $8-million dollar contract this off-season. But you likely know those facts already.

With a .321 average and a .418 on-base percentage, many teams around the Majors would love to have the left-handed Jay on their team. And, with an expiring contract, he would be a great rental for a push to the playoffs.

His defense is a bit suspect, being the either best on the current Cubs roster. But that could be easily covered on the right team. Maybe, the Houston Astros?

#2: A Farewell to Arms

Some people don’t believe in ties. I am one of them, except for now. While they will not be packaged together, they both could bring a good return.

Chicago Cubs

Subject A: Miguel Montero. Has there been a bigger positive surprise on the team this year?

Considering this limited role now, and career averages, if you thought Miggy would hit .309 so far, you have earned my respect. But, he is also in the last year of a contract, and it is doubtful he returns.

Willson Contreras is the Chicago Cubs’ everyday catcher. Victor Caratini is showing his readiness for big-league play. A team that is need of assets may find value in Montero for the rest of the season.

Subject B: Javier Baez. I should probably duck again, but there are solid reasons for the thought. He can hit for power and his defense is stellar. For whatever reason, this year has not progressed as we hoped for him. Sure, recent events show potential for performance, but prudence predicts a prospective placement change.

Ian Happ is coming on strong, and will rotate with Ben Zobrist at second base. The advantage of two switch hitters is something not to be taken lightly by manager Joe Maddon.  Barring injury, Addison Russell is staying at short.

#1: The Bluest Eyes

At least, I think they are blue.

No player for the Chicago Cubs this year will garner a higher asking price than the one with the least amount of MLB time. Ian Happ is proving why he was the top pick for the team in 2015. Now it is 2017, and the man straight rakes.

Fact: Seven of Happ’s 10 hits this year are for extra bases. Should he have enough at-bats to qualify for rankings, he would be the best offensive player on the Cubs behind Kris Bryant. His play in nine games are a strong reason why the team is starting to come around.

Odds are, however, that Happ is not going anywhere. But, is there enough reason for him to stay and play as a starter and not off the bench? While not directly correlated, Baez’s improvement has occurred since he was pushed aside by Happ.

Maybe the competition is what Baez needs. His flare for the dramatic and stellar shown through during the playoffs and World Baseball Classic. Should Happ be on the block, it will be a blockbuster move.