Cubs Rumors: Here’s what the Cubs might give up in a Diamondbacks trade

Injuries pushed the Arizona Diamondbacks' season off the rails early on, putting the front office in the unenviable role of sellers at this month's MLB trade deadline. They're likely to be one of the busiest teams over the next two weeks, with guys like Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Eugenio Suarez drawing widespread interest across the league.

The Chicago Cubs make sense for any of those names, but they'll face stiff competition and will have to go to uncomfortable lengths to get their guy. They do, however, match up well given what the Diamondbacks are looking for in return: pitching.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Arizona wants arms in return for any deal they make between now and July 31 - and that's been communicated to any club that's come calling, a list that features not only the Cubs but a pair of AL East rivals in the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Thankfully, Chicago has some options at its disposal as trade chips that might fit the bill.

This forgotten Cubs pitcher looks like a sure-fire trade candidate

The most obvious name - and one I would be shocked to see still in the organization come August - is left-hander and former first-round pick Jordan Wicks. He's struggled a great deal at the big-league level since making his MLB debut back in 2023. The southpaw fits the bill as a change-of-scenery candidate - and one that comes with years of team budget-friendly team control, something that will entice plenty of potential trade partners.

Suarez seems to be the most sought-after position player in the league - and it's not hard to figure out why. He entered Sunday leading the National League with 33 home runs and 81 driven in, and is in the final year of his contract, which could make the Diamondbacks' asking price at least marginally more palatable.

Given Matt Shaw's offensive struggles, slotting in Suarez at the hot corner, moving Shaw to a bench role and cutting Vidal Brujan or Jon Berti loose makes a ton of sense. The Cubs rookie has been hot since the All-Star break, but that's not enough of a reason to not seriously pursue third base backup at the deadline.

As for Gallen and Kelly, the Chicago rotation needs more behind the formidable 1-2 punch of Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga. Both have been brilliant, but, especially when it comes to the former, you have to proceed with at least some degree of caution given he's already thrown more innings this year than he's put up since 2019.

But if the Cubs are going to put something together with the Diamondbacks, it's going to take some arms going back to the desert. Wicks is the obvious choice, but that won't be the only name we hear in rumors in the coming weeks.