Cubs Rumors: Insider just spelled out what move Cubs must make

With Jameson Taillon expected to miss the next month as he recovers from a calf strain, it only furthers the expectation that the Chicago Cubs will add a starting pitcher before the MLB Trade Deadline at the end of the month. The only thing that Taillon's injury may change is that instead of being in the market for a starting rotation who can slot near the top of their rotation, the Cubs also may be on the lookout for a veteran who can stabilize the backend of the rotation.

The issue, as the Cubs have likely found out directly in recent weeks, is that a majority of the teams in baseball are still within shouting distance of postseason contention. Just look at the team the Cubs are currently playing, the Minnesota Twins, are all but out of the American League Central race, but within reach of one of the three wild-card spots.

Teams like the Twins are one of the reasons why the Cubs haven't traded for a starting pitcher yet. Given the limited number of sellers, there will be a premium on pitchers, and beyond that, there's not exactly an ace-caliber pitcher available on the trade market.

Insider just said what every Cubs fan already knew

It's a complicated situation that the Cubs find themselves in--a clear buyer with an obvious need but without a trade partner ready to make a deal. That will likely change in the coming weeks, if not days, so there should be an uptick in rumors coming out of the All-Star break next week. In the meantime, Jordan Bastian, Cubs' beat writer for MLB.com, was asked what the upgrade needed is for the Cubs, and the answer was obvious.

"Expect the Cubs to target a frontline starter, and perhaps some depth pieces, to shore up the staff for the run to October," Bastian said as part of his response.

Again, however, the Cubs will need to be creative with the "frontline pitcher" they target. Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks would check that box, but the Diamondbacks are doing everything they can to avoid selling. Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins is another who fits the bill, but the Marlins will likely have an astronomical asking price.

It's a task that's easier said than done, but for the Cubs, it could be the difference between them just simply making the postseason or emerging as a World Series contender.

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