Cubs’ and the three reasons they need to keep Jose Quintana

The 2020 trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and the Cubs head into late-August with some decisions to make.

One thing is for sure: the Chicago Cubs figure to be buyers. The North Siders improved to 15-7 on the year after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night, maintaining a four-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central division.

The apparent suggestion is adding bullpen help. Chicago’s bullpen entered play on Tuesday, ranked 23rd in ERA, and there are still depth questions.

Simultaneously, the Cubs are desperately trying to maintain some semblance of a farm system, and probably do not want to get too crazy with young assets in a shortened season.

Might the Cubs then look to flip left-hander Jose Quintana–who is on an expiring contract–in exchange for a reliever? Or perhaps even a mid-level prospect?

Moving Quintana could be tempting. The team might not re-sign him in the offseason, and it would be far better to see potential value from a trade rather than merely allowing him to walk.

But Quintana still has plenty to offer the Cubs in this shortened season, and they should keep him beyond the deadline.