Hated rival once again trying to turn the Cubs' deadline plans into a disaster

Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star, and maybe future Chicago Cubs, third baseman Eugenio Suarez did not take part in the swing-off at the end of the All-Star game on Tuesday night due to being hit by a pitcher earlier in the game. Hitting during the bottom frame of the 8th inning, Suarez was hit on the hand, and the initial fear was that the veteran third baseman may have a trip to the IL in his future.

Cubs’ deadline plans under siege again thanks to familiar foe

The pitcher on the mound for the American League was Chicago White Sox All-Star Shane Smith. Smith was a Rule 5 pick of the White Sox last offseason, and while it's a cool story that he made the All-Star game, his 4.26 ERA screams of MLB needing to get rid of the rule where every team is allowed to have an All-Star.

The good news is that X-rays taken on Suarez's hand after the game were negative, and he isn't expected to land on the IL. With the Arizona Diamondbacks all but confirmed to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline, Suarez will certainly be near the top of the Cubs' wish list.

For Suarez, if the Cubs are the team to trade for him, the veteran slugger may be hoping that a deal takes place after July 27. The Cubs play the White Sox that weekend, and considering his history with Smith, Suarez likely wasn't eager to face him again this season. Earlier this season, Suarez had another IL scare after a similar set of circumstances involving the same pitcher.

With Matt Shaw not a part of the Cubs' starting lineup against the New York Yankees last weekend, chances are Craig Counsell would not be opposed to having a different starting third baseman for the remainder of the season. While the Cubs remain married to Shaw as the long-term option at third base, adding a rental like Suarez would give the Cubs another dynamic power hitter who can be inserted into the middle of the lineup. Lessening the expectations of players like Ian Happ.

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