Chicago Cubs Rumors: Bullpen help and bat emerging as Trade Deadline targets

The Chicago Cubs have won eight games in a row and have inserted themselves directly into contention in the National League Central and National League Wild Card race.

Entering play on Sunday, the Cubs are 3.5 games out of first place in the National League Central and 3 games out of the final Wild Card spot.

The Cubs seemingly have played themselves out of being exclusive sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline and now, the talk is around what the team will add before August 1 in order to assist in their efforts to reach the post-season for the first time since 2020.

Patrick Mooney's latest piece from The Athletic centers around Cubs manager David Ross reflecting on the approaching deadline and how the Cubs could go in one of several different directions before Tuesday.

Mooney also provided some more insight in regard to what the Cubs may be adding at the deadline.

The Cubs can keep their top prospects off-limits in trade talks and still upgrade their bullpen and add a hitter who would fit in the bottom of their lineup or off the bench. Trading some prospects for immediate help is another way to create value and plan for the future, given the limitations around the 40-man roster, minor-league options and Rule 5 draft eligibility. Only three more days to go.

Assuming the Cubs will be buyers, it seems unlikely that the team would make a blockbuster move that includes any of their top prospects. Having said that, the Cubs have a plethora of mid-tier prospects that the team will need to make a decision on this off-season.

It would seem that decision can be made easier for the team's front office by moving some of those prospects in an effort to complement the Major League team and it would align with the Cubs' presumed targets.

Colorado Rockies' first baseman C.J. Cron likely won't have a high price tag given the struggles he had during the first half of the season and his contract status as a free agent this winter. Chicago White Sox reliever Aaron Bummer had been believed to be a Cubs' target but it remains to be seen if the White Sox will move Bummer despite his struggles this season.

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