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.

Chicago Cubs: Jon Gray could be on the radar once again

There had been some previous linkage between the Cubs and Colorado Rockies right-hander Jon Gray in the fall of 2019.  It wouldn’t be a surprise to hear more whispers building up to July 31.

Gray has a 3.71 ERA in 11 starts this season. His strikeout rate is below his career average, but he ranks in the 81st percentile in hard-hit rate and 94th percentile in barrel rate.

The seven-year veteran will be a free agent at the end of the season. However, Gray might also be intriguing because he could be a guy the Cubs try to re-sign as a future rotation arm given his age (29).

There are certainly things to be wary of here. Gray has a 6.75 ERA in four starts on the road this year and has been quite a bit better (2.36 ERA) at Coors Field. Still, the career splits don’t show nearly as exaggerative a gap.

One more thing: Gray would give Chicago some more velocity in the rotation to complement the soft-tossers.

Chicago Cubs: Will Detroit finally deal Matthew Boyd?

Detroit Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd was terrific in April, posting a 2.27 ERA in his first six starts. He got off to a strong start in May, as well, hurling six scoreless innings on May 11 against the Kansas City Royals.

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Interestingly, a May 16 start against the Cubs marked the start of a rough stretch for Boyd. The 30-year-old has given up 18 runs in 20 2/3 innings over the course of his last four starts, including five homers.

Still, there are reasons to like Boyd. Despite ranking in the 21st percentile in strikeout rate, Boyd ranks in the 84th percentile in chase rate and has had more success inducing soft contact and commanding the zone.

A few considerations must be made in a hypothetical pursuit of Boyd. The first is he is already making $6.5 million this season and should see a rise in salary next year, his final year of arbitration eligibility. It’s not an overwhelming figure, but still a gamble for the Cubs when considering Boyd’s spotty track record.

Additionally, it should be noted Boyd’s ground-ball rate is below 40 percent and he makes a lot of starts at pitcher-friendly Comerica Park. Would his success translate to Wrigley Field, or would he revert back to past issues with the long ball?

These are certainly things to grapple with for the Cubs if the express interest in Boyd.