These 4 teams are interested in key Chicago Cubs players

4 teams eyeing Chicago Cubs ahead of the trade deadline: Philadelphia Phillies

With less than a week until the MLB trade deadline and new rumors circulating that the Phillies organization has been scouting the Cubs during this Cubs-Diamondbacks series, it begs the question: Who are they looking at in particular? Is this all speculation and were they scouting the Diamondbacks and not the Cubs? Both?

Aside from the potential Kris Bryant-Bryce Harper reunion, it makes sense if the Phillies wanted to possibly upgrade at 3B or even just utilize Bryant in the outfield. Understandable as well if they didn’t necessarily want to dump Alec Bohm into our laps. The young third baseman, in his sophomore season, hasn’t found the same success as last year, when he slashed .338/.400/.481 and finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting. This season, he is slashing .243/.297/.342, an unfortunate drop-off but not overly alarming to where Philadelphia should be looking to pull the plug. I, for one, wouldn’t be upset if we received him in any sort of deal.

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As far as other Cubs, Javier Baez wouldn’t make as much sense to Philadelphia unless they were looking to move either Jean Segura or Didi Gregorius in his place. Gregorius has struggled thus far batting only .212 while earning $12 million and set to earn $14.5 next year after inking a two-year deal with the team back in January. He makes zero sense in any deal with Chicago, though, given they’re looking to re-tool – not add an aging, underperforming veteran.

If we’re being honest, Craig Kimbrel to the Phillies makes much more sense than Baez or Bryant. Aside from Archie Bradley and Ranger Suarez, everyone else in the Phillies bullpen has been pretty not great and the team could really use a true closer if they are looking to pull off a late run.

Bradley has paid off nicely with a 3.00 ERA in 27 innings pitched this season but it has been the newly appointed closer Suarez picking up the save opportunities in July, earning three and boasting a 1.15 ERA in 39 frames this season.

They currently sit with a record of 48-49 but only four games back behind the Mets and tied with Atlanta in the division for second place. Funny enough, they’re eight games out of a wild card spot. As it sits now, a route to the postseason will most likely have to be through earning the NL East title.

Philadelphia only has two prospects in the top 100 at #59 and #100. The former is a starting pitcher by the name of Mick Abel who is in A-ball and isn’t projected to arrive to the big leagues until 2024. Bryson Scott, the #100 prospect is a shortstop in Double-A with a 2023 ETA. It will be interesting to see what Philly will muster up if they are intending to make an offer for KB and/or Kimbrel.