Chicago Cubs Rumors: German Marquez cannot be the team’s big trade

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.

Chicago Cubs Rumors: MLB.com thinks Marquez and the Cubs could be a fit

In his latest, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com took a look at nine players across the league whose stock is rising and could be dealt ahead of the July 30 trade deadline. Of course, Marquez was among the players on that list.

The Rockies have already received calls on both Márquez and Jon Gray, and while it’s far from certain that they’ll deal either of the starting pitchers, Márquez is certainly seeing his value appreciate in recent weeks. The right-hander has gone 2-2 with a 3.19 ERA over his past five starts, posting superb outings against both the Mets and Athletics. Márquez is in the third year of a five-year, $43 million contract that runs through 2023, though the Rockies hold a $16 million club option for ’24, as well.

Marquez is just one of two pitchers included here – the other being a far more enticing arm in the form of Minnesota Twins righty Jose Berrios, who happens to be Javier Baez’s brother-in-law. The Twins haven’t gone to Berrios recently with any sort of extension and he’s been hot of late. If Minnesota doesn’t turn it up in a hurry, this guy could be a perfect target for Chicago.

At this point, you can’t just go out and get one arm. You need at least two starting pitchers – and one of them needs to be a top-of-the-rotation guy. The staff hasn’t given the bullpen any help and, so far, relievers have picked up the slack. But I’m not sure it’ll last if we don’t start getting more length and seeing more dominance from the rotation. German Marquez can check one of those boxes, but probably not both.