Chicago Cubs Rumors: Trade talks heating up with Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins were the first team to put up the for sale sign in front of their roster this past weekend as they traded All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres. The Marlins are one of the teams that many Chicago Cubs fans have had an eye on considering the plethora of arms that they could have on the trade market.

Typically, it is rare that a team has the ability to make an impact trade during the early days of May, considering many teams are still figuring out whether they will be buyers or sellers at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline in July.

The Marlins have declared themselves as sellers this season and the move of Arraez over the weekend confirms they are open for business. This does work in favor of the Cubs, who have a pressing need in the bullpen.

To that end, David Kaplan of ESPN 1000 reported over the weekend that the Cubs and Marlins could be involved in trade talks. While emphasizing the "could" caveat of his tidbit, Kaplan seemed to indicate that a potential deal would involve the Cubs' acquiring one of the Marlins' relievers.

The Cubs may be adding much-needed help to their bullpen.

Kaplan did not rule out a potential trade for Marlins' starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo but the indication would be the deal would be for a reliever. Marlins' closer Tanner Scott is a name to keep an eye on, and it would seem Miami would be more inclined to move a closer who is a free agent after the season, as opposed to Luzardo, who is under team control until 2027.

Scott's peripherals are down this season with a 5.54 FIP (2.77 ERA). A quick glance at Scott's numbers show that he has had some command issues to begin the season but he appears to be in the process of righting the ship, as he hasn't allowed an earned run since April 14. Not to mention, Scott is a lefty with a fastball that averages around 96 mph.

The Cubs would be wise to make a deal sooner as opposed to later. The Cubs are sitting at the top of the National League Central division with the Milwaukee Brewers but they can not afford to leave their bullpen woes unaddressed until the trade deadline. The Marlins are open for business and the Cubs need to make that deal as soon as possible.