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

Rumors continue to swirl around the Chicago Cubs ahead of the deadline. With a weak system and a well-rounded big league roster, is a trade likely? Maybe not.

The Chicago Cubs enter this year’s trade deadline season in a different spot than one year ago. They’ll head into the All-Star Break in sole possession of first place in the National League Central. The Cubs sit 16 games north of .500 and boast the best winning percentage in the entire league.

After unloaded prime talent to acquire Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson and Jose Quintana over the last two years, the minor league system lacks any highly regarded prospects. So the Cubs might not make a trade at the deadline this year. I think I’m ok with that. I might even be rooting for that.

Despite all of the rumors the Chicago Cubs are almost certainly not going to trade for Manny Machado. The fit just isn’t there. The Cubs don’t have a big need at shortstop, third base or really anywhere in the lineup. Most teams don’t have ten everyday players. The Cubs have been enjoying that unique luxury since Ian Happ was called up to the major leagues last year.

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.

Chicago Cubs: Trading for a title – but which kind?

The front office also has to consider if they need to make a trade to help win the division or are they just shoring up the roster for the post season. The Cubs have only recently pulled into first place in the NL Central. Milwaukee is definitely going to make trades. The question is how much do they improve their roster. If the Cubs had a comfortable lead in the division, then they could keep sending Chatwood out there every fifth day to try and figure it out.

A lot of the trade rumors we are hearing right now is the front office doing their due diligence. If a need springs up, the front office needs to be ready with a backup plan. If valuable player suddenly becomes available, Theo and Jed want to be able to pounce. Perhaps the Cubs find a diamond in the rough. I still don’t understand why the Mariners traded Montgomery to the Cubs a few years ago.

Next: Cubs clearly the best team in the National League

A lot of things could happen that would cause the Cubs to make a trade this season. However, there are also a lot of reasons not to make a trade this year. The roster is complete. The pitching staff is getting healthier. The bullpen is pitching well. Chatwood might not be in the rotation much longer. And the Cubs minor league system could use a year where its best prospects aren’t traded away. I know it isn’t as sexy to say, but perhaps the best thing the Cubs should do at this trade deadline is not make a move.