8 Cubs that could be available at the deadline if they fall out of contention

8 Cubs that could be available at the deadline if they fall out of contention - #4: Marcus Stroman

When it comes to Cubs starting pitchers, Marcus Stroman is - far and away - the most valuable trade chip Chicago has. Virtually guaranteed to opt out of his deal at season's end and test free agency and a serious contender for NL Cy Young honors, he could take a contender one piece away over the top.

The veteran right-hander is a league leader in several key categories, including quality starts, ERA+, WHIP and H/9. Recently, he put the Cubs on notice by telling everyone they haven't been responsive to extension talks, only adding fuel to the fire as the trade deadline draws nearer.

If June doesn't go as we all hope and Chicago sells, it's worth wondering if they'd capitalize on his sky-high value and deal him this summer, with plans to bring him back into the fold via free agency at season's end. Of course, that plan comes with risk - but if they pull it off, it could go a long way toward returning the Cubs to relevance and further bolstering their prospect depth.