Cubs predicted to "win the trade deadline in NL Central" by former MLB GM

It's no secret that the Chicago Cubs will be buyers at the 2025 MLB trade deadline.

At 49-35 heading into July with a decent, but shrinking, lead in the NL Central, the Cubs have some obvious items on their shopping list to purchase by July 31: a third baseman, some bench help, and at least one starting pitcher.

Well, there's some good news for fans hoping the Cubs accomplish all of their Christmas-in-July shopping: former MLB Jim Bowden strongly believes the team is going to win the trade deadline, thanks to the "aggressive approach" of the front office.

Cubs expected to be far more aggressive than division rivals at trade deadline

Appearing on the Foul Territory podcast, Bowden was asked about the state of the NL Central heading into July, and how he thought the trade deadline could impact the hierarchy in the division.

"The Cubs are gonna win the trade deadline in the NL Central. They're everywhere right now," Bowden responded matter-of-factly.

The former GM noted that the team is willing to part with a number of its top prospects — name-dropping Futures Game participant Owen Caissie in particular — and that Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins are putting their eggs in just about every basket on the rumor mill.

"As I talk to people in the industry, they're all in," Bowden reported. "They're gonna do what it takes to win... the Cubs are the one team [in the division] in position to make a splash. They've got the better system and willingness to give up [players from that system]."

As Bowden notes, the NL Central is exceptionally competitive this year, with four teams at least well over .500 and looking like potential buyers at the trade deadline.

However, he also noted that each of the Reds, Cardinals, and Brewers won't be all that aggressive at the trade deadline, citing budgetary constrictions and a desire to build toward the future that could hamper their willingness to part with prospects.

Of course, this jives with what we've been hearing about the Cubs since June began, which is that Hawkins and Hoyer plan to leave no stone unturned as Chicago seeks its first postseason appearance since 2020. If their division rivals play things safe, then it makes the front office's job that much easier.

With Hoyer and Hawkins in the final year of their respective contracts, both executives will be emboldened to "go for it". Hopefully, their preparatory efforts will lead to a bountiful haul at the trade deadline.