Chicago Cubs: Trade deadline looms large for Theo Epstein

Chicago Cubs: Reinforcements for the pen or second base?

Some see a trade for a bullpen arm, especially a lefty, as likely.  That makes sense.  Mike Montgomery has been traded, Randy Rosario and Tim Collins are back in the minors, leaving Kyle Ryan as the only lefty in the bullpen.

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Others envision a move that would bolster production from the second base position.  Daniel Descalso has been benched and Addison Russell is still working to regain his MLB footing after being called up.  Robel Garcia has been good in the starts he’s made, slashing .333/.370/.875 for a 1.245 OPS in 10 games – but that’s an admittedly small sample size. Joe Maddon has used him only in spots where he matches up well.  Broader exposure would likely amplify the swing and miss that comes along with the power.

And what if they just stood pat. They’ve already acquired Martin Maldonado as the third catcher Maddon likes to have, especially given the need to rest Willson Contreras in the dog days of July and August.

Besides, the team has responded in blazing fashion after the All-Star Break, going 7-1, sweeping the Pirates, winning two of three from the Reds and winning the first two games against the young, powerful Padres.

Carl Edwards Jr. is due back from the IL and lengthens the bullpen further. The team is also likely to learn about Ben Zobrist in about week, according to Theo Epstein, though he said they are not counting on his return.

Chicago Cubs: Trouble ahead for Epstein’s club?

The Cubs’ road record is a miserable 18-27. At the conclusion of this nine-game run at home, the team hits the road to take on the surging Giants, followed by the Brewers and Cardinals, two series that could make or break the season when it’s all said and done.

Can the Cubs, as they currently stand, reverse their road record trend? The signs are not good.  In their early-season winning streak from April 8 to May 12, where they won eight of ten series, they played just eight road games against 20 home games.  Between July 22 and August 18, they play 19 road games to just six home games after this Padres series concludes.

So, perhaps a move is needed after all.  My Cubbies Crib colleagues have opined about possible moves.  Martin Fenn wrote about one possible solution to the lefty shortage in the bullpen, and Ryan O’Rourke wrote about a possible solution for second base and the leadoff spot.

I don’t think the Cubs have the depth on the bench or on the farm to do both. So, which one?  Maybe that depends on the asking price, whether the Cubs have pieces the other team desires, and if Chicago is competitive enough in a strong seller’s market.  Theo will have to be at his most shrewd.  It’ll be an interesting ten days.