4 Cubs players who survived the trade deadline but will be gone by September

The smoke from the trade deadline has cleared, and the Chicago Cubs are positioned for a deep run in October. That doesn't mean that difficult decisions still aren't ahead for the front office, considering the number of injured pitchers expected to return before the end of the regular season.

The pitching staff is where most of the questions lie for the Cubs. After the additions of Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes, it's clear that the Cubs will have a capable rotation in October. There's still a spot or two that will need to be mapped out for the bullpen.

4 Cubs players who survived the trade deadline but will be gone by September

As the Cubs shuffle parts across their roster, there certainly are some players that survived the initial wave of roster moves after the deadline, but remain on borrowed time with the team.

Javier Assad

It remains a numbers game for Javier Assad. Daniel Palencia, Hoby Milner, and Edward Cabrera are all expected to be back with the Cubs by September. Then, next month, Ben Brown, Justin Steele, Hunter Harvey, and Shelby Miller could all be potential options. It'd be foolish to expect all seven of those pitchers will return this season, but even if it's just two of them, the Cubs will need space. Assad is one of the few pitchers currently on the team's staff with minor-league options remaining. For as great as he's been, the writing remains on the wall.

Aaron Civale

Even if Assad is sent to Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs could still have two bulk options available in the bullpen with Cabrera and Colin Rea. Under those circumstances, it's hard to imagine Aaron Civale being with the team once September rolls around. He's certainly served a purposed and bridged a gap until the pitching staff got healthy, but he isn't long for the roster.

Caleb Thielbar

Caleb Thielbar's status with the Cubs isn't tied to a numbers game as much as it is he has pitched himself out of the circle of trust. His ERA has ballooned up to 5.30, and a WHIP of 1.35. The Cubs having a lack of high-leverage lefties in the bullpen could be his saving grace, but even that excuses is wearing thin, considering left-handed hitters are carrying an OPS of .843 against him this year.

James Triantos

James Triantos wasn't traded at the deadline, but it's difficult to imagine he has much of a future with the team this season. If Matt Shaw is healthy, he certainly will take Triantos' spot on the roster. If not, Owen Ayers could be an under-the-radar option.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow