Chicago Cubs Rumors: Could this team stand pat at the Trade Deadline?

Chicago Cubs: Bullpen pitching well & has built-in depth

Just like last year the Cubs have a bit of a question mark at backup catcher. But unless they can get someone like Rene Rivera for nothing as they did last year, I don’t think the Cubs should use trade capital just to acquire a backup catcher. Alex Avila only got one plate appearance in the postseason last year. The Cubs already have a lot of catching options with Victor Caratini, Taylor Davis and Chris Gimenez who is still in the organization.

If the Cubs are going to make a move, it is almost certainly going to be on the pitching side. But almost the entire bullpen is healthy and pitching well. Only Eddie Butler, Anthony Bass and Justin Hancock are still on the disabled list. And while I hope the Cubs don’t need to rely on them in the playoffs even the Cubs Triple-A pitching depth has performed well this season.

So if the bullpen stays healthy and continues to pitch well there isn’t a need there. The front office might choose to upgrade the bullpen spot that was occupied by Butler on Opening Day or a replacement if Mike Montgomery stays in the starting rotation, but that is about it. And again I don’t know if it is worth a lot of trade capital to add a reliever if Brandon Morrow, Carl Edwards Jr., Pedro Strop, Steve Cishek, Justin Wilson and Brian Duensing are all healthy and pitching well.