0 Chicago Cubs listed on MLB Trade Rumors’ Top 40 trade candidates

Winners of nine of 10 heading into this weekend’s series in San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs are officially the hottest team in baseball. The competition the team faced in May pales in comparison to what’s in store in the month of June – but after sweeping the San Diego Padres, things are starting off on the right foot.

Just a month ago, the Cubs faced dismal odds of making the postseason, let alone winning the division. They pretty clearly looked like sellers – especially given the major talent set to walk at year’s end, ranging from a former MVP in Kris Bryant to All-Stars like Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Craig Kimbrel.

But after a 19-8 month, things have dramatically changed. The team might be buyers, now – and even MLB Trade Rumors isn’t thinking Chicago will sell at this point. In the ‘early June edition’ of their top 40 trade candidates, not a single Cubs player was included. That’s pretty astonishing to me personally, but I’m very much here for it.

Chicago Cubs should have their eye on the top name, Rockies pitcher Jon Gray

Topping the MLBTR rankings is Colorado Rockies ace Jon Gray. After all, the Rockies are trash and what use do they really have for a top-tier arm after literally paying the Cardinals to take Nolan Arenado, one of the best all-around third basemen in the game, off their hands this past winter?

For his part, Gray wants to stay in the Mile High City – but it might not matter what he wants. Chicago, and countless other teams, need starting pitching. The Rox could flip the right-hander for a decent price this summer and (maybe) expedite the rebuild that’s psudeo-underway already.

Oh, and the number two name on the list? It’s Gray’s teammate, All-Star shortstop Trevor Story, who will join Baez in this winter’s loaded free agent class at year’s end.

Javier Baez, Kris Bryant have played spoiler for the Chicago Cubs’ plans

Look. If Ricketts thought he was going to shed $30 or $40 million in payroll this year and rebuild, he must have forgotten to tell his players.

Bryant has been playing like a man on a mission, re-establishing himself as one of the premier talents in the game -evidence by his carrying the fifth-highest OPS in the game. Baez is turning it on after a slow start and, with fans back in the stands, the best may very well be yet to come for the Cubs shortstop.

Right now, like I said, you cannot trade either of these guys – or Rizzo, for that matter. As long as Chicago keeps winning, the players control their own destiny. That being said, a rough stretch would be just as impactful – in a very different sense.

There’s a lot of time left between now and the trade deadline at the end of July. We’ll see several variations of this MLB Trade Rumors list before we cross that bridge and there’s still a chance some of our favorite Chicago Cubs players will find themselves on it.

The only cure for such an ailment? Just win, baby.