These 4 teams are interested in key Chicago Cubs players

This weekend, we learned that several teams have scouts in attendance at Wrigley Field for the series between the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks. So let’s not delay – and dive right into four teams who have interest in some of the team’s big names ahead of Friday’s trade deadline.

Let’s start with the Washington Nationals, who are surprisingly going to make a run for it and have been now labeled as buyers. Take a glance at a recent report of the Nats’ interest in Kris Bryant. Washington will have you believe they can’t seem to make up their minds on what they want to do. At least that’s what they want you to think. For reports to be out about an interest in Bryant, buying is clearly on their minds.

In my mind if I’m a GM on a team that can go one way or the other, my plans are kept inside the house and I will be as vague as possible. I’d much rather have the element of surprise at the deadline if I was going to go for it. I don’t want my division rivals to know who I am after so they can’t be prepared to up the offer knowing that I would be bidding.

With recent reports of Starlin Castro being placed on administrative leave, it makes sense for the Nationals to go after a Bryant-caliber piece to shore up their depth. The added defensive versatility is a huge plus to anybody looking to make that second-half push. As we all know, the Nationals have a history of going for it. In 2019 they were 19-31 and no one thought they would be able to dig their way out of that hole. As it turns out, they did  just that and went on to win the franchise’s first ever World Series title.

Mike Rizzo is definitely up to something. Not sure it will be Bryant, but he’s going to make a move.

4 teams eyeing Chicago Cubs ahead of the trade deadline: Toronto Blue Jays

Baez doesn’t make much sense here. The Blue Jays have a plethora of shortstop prospects and don’t need a rental at this position due to having Bo Bichette at shortstop and Marcus Semien at second – both of whom earned All-Star nods this year.

The other player they Blue Jays are most likely eyeing right now is the Cubs’ All-Star closer. With Kirby Yates out for the season, Kimbrel would be a huge boost to the Blue Jays bullpen, not only this year but next season when Yates returns as Kimbrel has another year of team control. This would give Toronto a chance to have two of the best closers at the same time which could lead to a lot of success next year if not this year as it is.

Disclaimer: The Blue Jays are 8 1/2 back in the AL East. They must feel pretty confident about their chances in the second half to even be scouting guys like Bryant or Kimbrel. The Blue Jays do, however, have five prospects in the top 100 in Nate Pearson, Austin Martin, Jordan Groshans, Simeon Woods Richardson and Gabriel Moreno. Given the fact that they are this far back in the division, it would take a pretty significant push. Which means an aggressive buy, which would bode well for the Cubs.

4 teams eyeing Chicago Cubs ahead of the trade deadline: New York Mets

Also on the list of teams scouting the Cubs over the weekend, the New York Mets. Although we already know about the Mets’ interest in Bryant, they make it as number one on this list because they seem to be the team with the most interest at this point. As more reports have come out besides the original, now this one of the team actually scouting the ball club during the game, it just goes to show that moves are coming whether we like them or not.

How does KB fit with the Mets? Pick your poison. That is what teams are loving about this proposal. Ronny Mauricio has been tied in trade talks as a potential return, although other talks have talked about the possibility of Bryant costing more than just a top prospect. It remains to be seen obviously what will happen in terms of a return as I am sure Jed is getting calls everyday looking for updates.

With Francisco Lindor going down on the IL with no timetable for a return, they could very well be scouting a shortstop instead of a third baseman. Baez, as you know, can also play second base quite well. Jeff McNeil is somewhat of a Swiss Army Knife himself in New York as he can play second, third and the outfield. Along with the fact that you’re leading the division by four games and want to stay on top, that makes the case for acquiring Baez a good one.

One thing is for sure. The Cubs’ day-to-day line up is about to look a whole lot different heading into August. Whoever they let go, it just needs to make sense for the betterment of the team. If the Cubs utilize this trade deadline correctly they could be in really good shape moving forward in the form of securing top prospects. If you haven’t buckled up yet, do so.