Chicago Cubs Rumors: German Marquez cannot be the team’s big trade
By Jake Misener
The number one thing holding the Chicago Cubs back from running away with the National League Central? An ace. Hey, I wonder if Yu Darvish is available…? Too soon? Sorry.
After the club went from seller to a first-place team poised to add over the last month-plus, we’ve speculated on a number of potential targets, ranging from former Cy Young winners like Max Scherzer to run-of-the-mill arms that represent more depth than a true headliner.
Right now, you have Kyle Hendricks. That’s it. That’s the only starter capable of going toe-to-toe with an ace in a critical postseason matchup. And while he’s been admittedly stronger of late, the 31-year-old right-hander hasn’t been his typical reliable self this year. He carries a 4.46 ERA, 5.63 FIP and 10.4 H/9 in 74 2/3 innings of work.
Because of his resume, you probably trust him in October. But even if that’s the case, David Ross has nowhere to turn after him in a best-of-five series. Jake Arrieta? No chance. Zach Davies? He’s in the same boat as Hendricks as in he’s been better lately but far from someone you trust in a must-win contest.
Adbert Alzolay and Trevor Williams are hurt, leaving the Cubs filling the rest of the rotation with a carousel of guys from Iowa – while simultaneously trying to stay atop the division. That’s why, even though he’s a quality arm, German Marquez of the Rockies cannot, under any circumstance, be Jed Hoyer’s big move ahead of the trade deadline.