Cubs Rumors: Diamondbacks’ sudden shift could solve Cubs’ trade woes

With the All-Star break officially here, the Chicago Cubs may have just gotten a lifeline for the MLB trade deadline, courtesy of the Arizona Diamondbacks. While emptying his weekly notebook, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the expectation is that the Diamondbacks will be sellers ahead of the deadline.

"They are making starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suárez and first baseman Josh Naylor available. They are all free agents after the season. The D-backs are searching for young pitching in return."

Nightengale's report is the closest confirmation there's been this season that the Diamondbacks will be sellers at the deadline. The Diamondbacks face a double-digit deficit in the National League West and are at the back of the pack when it comes to the crowded National League Wild-Card picture. As the deadline gets closer, selling feels like an inevitability for the Diamondbacks.

Diamondbacks selling gives Cubs the shot they needed

If the Cubs truly are looking to replace Matt Shaw as their starting third baseman for the remainder of the season, Suarez is the clear answer. A free agent after the season, Suarez would add even more length to one of the best lineups in baseball, given his 31 home runs. While the Cubs have not given up on Shaw as the long-term answer at third base, it seems that they are willing to pause the experiment for the remainder of this season. Shaw was not in the starting lineup during any of the Cubs' games against the New York Yankees this past weekend.

We've also touched on how Gallen feels like one of those change-of-scenery pitchers Jed Hoyer would love to add ahead of the trade deadline, banking on the track record Gallen has prior to his struggles this season.

Kelly, however, would be a more direct and clear answer to the Cubs' need in the rotation. Already a 2-fWAR player on the season, Kelly would give the Cubs a dependable option in the rotation while they wait for Jameson Taillon to come back. It would be aggressive, but the Cubs trying to add Kelly and Suarez in the same deal would be a worthwhile move, especially with the prospects the team has to offer.

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