3 buy-low starters the Chicago Cubs could acquire at the deadline

Chicago Cubs should take advantage of the Rockies’ coming fire sale

With the Rockies set to trade everyone with even a shred of value this summer, Jon Gray seems to be one of the pieces set to move. Once upon a time, the Chicago Cubs were expected to take Jon Gray with the second overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft. Instead, the team picked Kris Bryant instead and Gray went the pick after, to Colorado. Fast forward to 2021 and the Cubs now have a realistic opportunity to get both guys on the same team.

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Gray has always been a somewhat inconsistent pitcher, often alternating between successful seasons and seasons where he struggles. This season has been nothing short of a success, however. The veteran has an impressive ERA of just 3.43 and while he doesn’t have great strikeout numbers, he still has just a 1.179 WHIP and has done a very good job of keeping the ball in the yard, which is not an easy feat to accomplish at Coors.

He also has a decent amount of spin on his curveball, which is something that should interest the Cubs as well. Baseball Savant indicates he’s done a great job of limiting hard contact, meaning he likely won’t regress too much.

There really aren’t a lot of drawbacks to acquiring Gray. He is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career this winter, and after seeing the Colorado return on the Arenado trade, it’s likely that Gray won’t net them a big return. Gray would be a perfect fit for the Cubs, and would really elevate the rotation.

The Cubs have suffered a multitude of injuries and still continue to find ways to win. While the team’s biggest need right now is everyone getting and staying healthy, their rotation is an easy spot to improve as well. The front office is in a somewhat tricky situation going into the trade deadline, but the rotation is something they should prioritize improving.