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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman is set to start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday in a game that can be described as the most game of the season for the Cubs to date.
Entering play on Thursday, the Cubs are 5 games below the .500 mark on the season but can move to within 4 games of the second-place Brewers with a victory.
Obviously, second place in the National League Central is not the mark that the team is hoping to reach but taking three of four from Milwaukee likely will assist the team's front office in their goal of being buyers at the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline.
Over the course of the past month, Stroman has expressed his desire to remain with the Cubs on a long-term deal but the team's front office has remained tight-lipped regarding their plans for the National League All-Star.
It would seem that the team's front office is waiting to see what direction they take at the deadline before engaging Stroman in contract negotiations. Ken Rosenthal and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reported over the weekend that the Cubs are not interested in signing Stroman prior to the deadline on August 1.
"The Chicago Cubs are not inclined to sign Marcus Stroman to a contract extension before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, sources told The Athletic, preferring to keep their options open and see how the team performs over the next month."The Athletic
The Cubs' front office is taking the right approach.
If the Cubs are unable to remain in contention in the weeks leading up to the deadline, Stroman is going to be the biggest trade chip available. Such a scenario would put the Cubs in a position where they would be able to move Stroman for a package of top prospects or young Major League talent that will allow the team to contend in 2024.
If the Cubs are buyers at the deadline, then the team's front office has already shown an eagerness to be buyers, and trading Stroman would not be in play. That is the scenario where it would seem likely that the Cubs visit contract extension talks with Stroman in August or September with the goal of reaching a new deal before he hits free agency this winter.