Cubs could benefit from surprising Rangers last-minute trade deadline development

The Chicago Cubs have yet to make a move on Monday, but a last-minute shift in philosophy by the Texas Rangers could open a door that Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins weren't previously accounting for.

While the Rangers were pressing for first place in the American League West last week, they are now looking to a move a number of their controlling pitchers. While the Cubs lost out on Jose Soriano earlier today, and trade for Reid Detmers looks less likely by the hour, the front office still has hopes of walking away from the deadline with a controllable starting pitcher under their belt.

The Rangers certainly would be a team that could help the Cubs' cause. Of course MacKenzie Gore is a pitcher the Cubs pursued heavily last summer, and Nathan Eovaldi has always been viewed as someone the front office likes. Jacob deGrom would obviously be a potential ace of the rotation for the Cubs, but his contract carrying an AAV of $37 million may be a step too far.

Rangers may have just handed Jed Hoyer and the Cubs a trade deadline lifeline

North Side Baseball's Matthew Trueblood reports the Cubs are having conversations with the Rangers, listing Eovaldi as the most likely option if the two sides were to find a path to a deal. After Eovaldi, the Cubs insider has it Gore and than deGrom, which checks out for the reasons outlined above.

Eovaldi, making $25 million this season and next, would be a natural fit for the Cubs. He generates ground balls to the tune of 49.9% of the time this season, and striking out over 25% of the hitters he's faced. If the Cubs were looking for a sure-thing to plug into their rotation for this season and next, assuming deGrom's contract makes him a non-factor, Eovalid would check that box.

Gore is having a peculiar year with the Rangers. His ERA is 4.77, but he is striking out 26% of the hitters he's faced. His underlying metrics, 3.80 FIP, would also suggest that he's had some bad luck this year. In fact, if you look at his Baseball Savant page, the value on his fastball and offspeed pitches, are significantly higher than last year. For that reason, it would be fair to suggest the Cubs still like his profile, and he has one more year of arbitration before reaching free agency.

It's worth noting it was reported last week that the Rangers were scouting the Cubs. Considering the Rangers were a perceived buyer at the time, it was hard to determine a match. Now, it's not such a leap to make.

Update - Rangers are now telling teams they are not selling, serving as a reminder of how quickly things can change during the hours leading up to the deadline.

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