Cubs Rumors: Jed Hoyer could copy 2016 playbook for another October push

While the recent focus of the Chicago Cubs' trade deadline needs has been on starting pitching and third base, it stands to reason that the front office will look to add another high-leverage arm to the bullpen. The goal for the Cubs' front office should be to leave nothing up to chance, which means they want to add another starting pitcher to the rotation and potentially add a temporary replacement for Matt Shaw at third base. That same logic should apply to the bullpen.

After they struggled to open the season, the Cubs' bullpen has quietly become one of the strengths of the team. That is mostly due to the breakout performance of Daniel Palencia as the team's closer. Sitting with an ERA under 2, Palencia has thrived as the bookend in the Cubs' bullpen.

As it turns out, a similar situation is developing for the Cubs this season that happened during the 2016 season. In 2016, Héctor Rondón was doing a respectable job as the Cubs' closer, still the front office went out and made a blockbuster trade for Aroldis Chapman at the trade deadline. The logic was clear: the Cubs were a World Series contender, and Chapman gave them a definitive answer at closer, despite the success Rondón was having.

Jed Hoyer’s deadline vision sure looks like a 2016 rerun

A similar outcome may happen for the Cubs this season. For as great as Palencia has been this season, it needs to be said that this is the first time he is closing games at the Major League level. With a Cubs team trying to go from being a clear division leader to a World Series contender, that is an area they may look to upgrade before the deadline. That desire could lead them to a reunion with Chapman.

Now with the Boston Red Sox, it would seem that Chapman is likely to be moved at the deadline if the Red Sox choose to become sellers. After polling executives, Jim Bowden of The Athletic has Chapman as the reliever who is certain to be traded at the deadline.

Chapman has turned back the clock with his performance with the Red Sox this season, with a fastball that can still reach triple digits and an ERA under 1.50. The idea of the Cubs cementing the success of their bullpen with the addition of Chapman is one that likely can't be fully counted out.

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