Chicago Cubs Rumors: This veteran pitcher will be moved before MLB Trade Deadline

With the Chicago Cubs poised to sell what they can at the trade deadline, expect plenty of rumors involving relief pitchers. We've already seen Hector Neris and Mark Leiter Jr. mentioned in recent days and it seems likely Drew Smyly will also hear his name in chatter, if he hasn't already.

In a new league-wide roundup from The Athletic (subscription required), MLB beat writers picked one player from each team they expect to be moved before July 30. Cubs beat writer Patrick Mooney pointed out Smyly's experience in both the rotation and the pen, his contract status and a healthy body of postseason work as reasons he'll be traded.

Smyly has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen this year for Craig Counsell, working to a 2.79 ERA in 38 2/3 innings of work. There's more to this story though, as a 4.51 FIP suggests a good amount of luck, not to mention chase, whiff and ground ball rates that all check in well below average.

Soft contact has been the key to Drew Smyly's success in 2024

What he has done well is limit hard contact - and, at the end of the day, that goes a long way toward determining success in today's game. His xERA (3.37) suggests a middle ground between his ERA and FIP, and could help Jed Hoyer entice contending teams in need of pitching depth for the stretch run.

Smyly is in the final year of his contract and is making $8.5 million. But any team that acquires him would be on the hook for the remainder of that sum and a $2.5 million buyout of a $10 million mutual option for 2025. Still, it's a palatable sum, especially if he continues to deliver the same consistency he's provided in a key bullpen role.

A youth movement, of sorts, seems likely in the bullpen in the season's final months as the front office takes stock of its internal options heading into the winter. Smyly makes a ton of sense as a trade candidate, which could open up the door for a young arm to prove himself in that multi-inning role.