Chicago Cubs: 3 trade targets if the team decides to be buyers

Chicago Cubs fans probably don’t need any reminding the month of June is absolutely critical in deciding the future of the team.

The Cubs entered the year with expectations they could potentially contend in the National League Central… or be sellers at the July trade deadline.

An 11-15 start seemed to indicate the North Siders were headed toward the latter until they posted an NL-best 19-8 mark in May. Now, there’s reason to believe president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and Co. will eventually have no chance but to buy or risk fan mutiny.

It’s not just that the Cubs are winning. The offense has been on quite the roll pretty much since mid-April. Even more surprising has been the success of the bullpen, a unit that has found effectiveness in the form of guys like Keegan Thompson and Tommy Nance, among others.

Chicago Cubs have the makeup to contend, but the rotation could use a boost

Kyle Hendricks and Zach Davies have rebounded from poor months in April. Adbert Alzolay is a future fixture on the staff. From there, the picture is a bit murkier, to say the least.

Still, there is reason to be concerned with Davies’ propensity to outperform his peripherals (6.84 xERA). Jake Arrieta (5.44 xERA) and Trevor Williams (12th percentile in average exit velocity) leave a lot to be desired.

If the Cubs decide to buy, they are likely to pursue at least one starting pitcher. Here are three guys they could target.