Chicago Cubs: A lazy deadline may be what this team needs going forward

The Chicago Cubs remain one of the most actively mentioned teams leading up to today’s 3 p.m. CT trade deadline. But a significant move could prove costly to the organization.

After another gut-wrenching loss last night, this Chicago Cubs team proved, yet again, that it has some major holes in its roster. In a clash with rival Cardinals, the Cubs allowed 37-year-old Adam Wainwright to turn back the clock as the offense fell flat in a 2-1 loss. The loss moved the Cardinals to take sole possession of first place in the NL Central.

The need for bullpen help and contact-centric hitters has been glaring during a 2-5 road trip. But with what appears to be a slow trade deadline across the league, the team may be forced to rely heavily on improvements within their roster. While this course of action wouldn’t be popular amongst Cubs fans, it probably necessary when looking at the alternative option.

Trade the farm once again?

The Cubs have been in this position before. In 2016, they needed a closer. In 2017, it was a starting pitcher. Last season, they needed a veteran bat, a starting pitcher and bullpen help. In 2016 and 2017 combined, the team traded prospects Gleyber Torres, Billy Mckinney, Dylan Cease, Eloy Jimenez and others. Torres was sent to the Yankees for Aroldis Chapman, while Cease and Jimenez went to the White Sox for Jose Quintana. All three players appear to be headed for successful major league careers.

The 2016 deal can be lived with, given that Chapman was essential to a World Series title. However, the Quintana deal continues to haunt the Cubs every time a video surfaces of Jimenez hitting a ball 450 feet. Or Cease throwing a vanishing curveball–especially while Quintana has to battle to make it through an opposing lineup three times.

Now, Theo Epstein and the Cubs brass has to decide how much they’re willing to give up to fill the clear gaps on this team. And they need to decide before today’s 3 p.m. CT trade deadline. Without a non-waiver trade deadline, this will likely be the only chance Epstein has to make significant improvements to his roster.

Is this team worth it?

The main question I find myself asking with this team is, are we clear World Series contenders? Right now, I think that the answer is no. With that being said, this team has the talent and pedigree to make a run, but so far in 2019, they haven’t been able to assert themselves as a real contender.

They remain just one game back of the Cardinals for first place in the division, with a chance to reclaim the top spot tonight in St. Louis. While still in a fine position in the standings, I think the Cubs inability to assert themselves against flawed Cardinals and Brewers teams should be noted. Especially before acting aggressively at the trade deadline.

The farm system took a major blow in previous years, and it’s just now starting to recover. With a solid nucleus of Nico Hoerner, Brailyn Marquez, Miguel Amaya, Adbert Alzolay, the Cubs have some pieces that could help to extend the teams competitive window.

At this point in time, it’s not worth it to give up any of the team’s top prospects, especially considering how flawed the team is at the moment. The Chicago Cubs can’t cure their problems with the back-end of their bullpen, hitting with RISP or winning on the road in one trade deadline. It’s on the players currently on the roster to right the ship and determine the fate of the 2019 Cubs.