Cubs are headed for another frustrating trade deadline déjà vu this offseason

There is no question that the Chicago Cubs became a better team at the MLB trade deadline, but the prevailing takeaway will be that the Cubs were not ready to meet the asking price that sellers had for their controllable starting pitchers. Which, sure, the market seemed high, but the market is often defined by the actual moves that are made, and the deadline saw one of the best prospects in baseball get moved.

It would also seem that the Cubs are likely going to take this test once again during the offseason. We can already rule out that the Cubs will spend top dollar for an ace in free agency, leaving the trade market as the only way that will allow Jed Hoyer's front office to cross off their need for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher.

The names on the trade market this offseason should be ones that Hoyer is already familiar with. Bob Nightengale set the stage for the starting pitching trade market during his latest roundup for USA Today.

It could be quite the winter for starting pitchers on the block: Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez of the Minnesota Twins and Sandy Alcantara and Edwin Cabrera of the Miami Marlins and Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cubs could run it back with the same failed trade approach this winter

Making things even worse for the Cubs in that reality is the likelihood that the trade market for each of those pitchers will likely be expanded to include teams that weren't buyers at the deadline. In other words, the more teams involved, the more the price goes up--and the Cubs have proven since 2017 that they will never be the team that sets the market, regardless of it being a potential free-agent signing or trade.

Now, at least in one aspect, the Cubs should have clarity. If the Cubs are able to bring back Kyle Tucker, they will likely be more inclined to include Owen Caissie in a trade--even if it's a deal that isn't as significant as their preference leading into the deadline. Not that it would change Hoyer's ideology when it comes to how he views trades for immediate impact.

More Cubs Content from Cubbies Crib