Chicago Cubs Rumors: Team pivoting away from Zach Britton?

For weeks, Zach Britton appeared to be atop the Chicago Cubs deadline wish list. But the latest rumors indicate other arms may be in Theo’s crosshairs instead.

Baseball fans can be quite petty. Despite carrying the National League’s best record (at least for the time being), Chicago Cubs supporters are clamoring for a big move – for a third-straight season.

With the team connected on a near-daily basis with Baltimore Orioles lefty Zach Britton the last couple week, it seemed as if they might get their wish. Sure, he’s not the guy he once was – but he’s got plenty left in the tank and made a great degree of sense for the Cubs’ needs.

But the latest reports indicate the Cubs are on the outside, looking in when it comes to the hard-throwing southpaw. That being said, the two sides are still talking – and not just about Britton. Now on the table for a woeful Orioles team? Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy.

The pitching staff is nowhere near as deep as you’d like from a team with World Series aspirations. Need proof? Position players have taken the mound twice for Chicago since last week’s All-Star Break. And the second instance, Monday night, the team was only down 7-1. Sure, that’s not exactly a ‘close’ game, but it hardly warrants such a decision under normal circumstances.

And guys like Gausman and Bundy may be just what the Cubs need to help shore things up down the stretch.