Chicago Cubs Rumors: Trades being discussed ahead of roster deadline

The Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball are likely in for an active Tuesday afternoon as teams have until 6 pm CT to add Rule 5 eligible draft prospects to their 40-man roster with the intent of protecting the prospects from being poached by another organization.

The Cubs currently have seven open slots on their 40-man roster and that provides the team with some flexibility in terms of being able to protect some of their own prospects but also in the event that they see a player from a different team that is in jeopardy of losing 40-man roster protection. Under such a scenario, the Cubs may view player x on their team as someone who will lose 40-man roster protection at 6 pm CT, and instead of losing the player for nothing during the draft, they opt to complete a trade for player y on a different team that is under a similar set of circumstance.

To that end, Chicago Sun-Times' Cubs beat reporter Maddie Lee reports that the team is active in trade discussions ahead of the roster deadline later this evening.

The Cubs have several players on their current 40-man roster that we may see traded before 6 pm CT this evening. Those players include Adrian Sampson, Rowan Wick, Alfonso Rivas, Zack McKinstry, and Rafael Ortega. Second baseman Nick Madrigal is also a name to watch considering the Cubs' pursuit of the top available free-agent shortstops would seemingly leave Madrigal without a set position on the team. Of the potential trade candidates; Madrigal, Wick, and Sampson likely would have the most value.

The Chicago Cubs could complete a trade or two ahead of the latest roster deadline.

In regards to teams to watch as a possible trade partner for the Cubs, all signs point to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays have a plethora of pitchers that may be available in a trade this offseason and the Cubs have had an interest in starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow in the past. Prior to the 2021 Major League Baseball trade deadline, the Cubs and Rays discussed a deal that would have sent third baseman Kris Bryant and relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel to Tampa Bay in exchange for Glasnow.

Once 6 pm CT hits on Tuesday evening, the Cubs will have some clarity in regard to their 40-man roster but it may not be for long as the non-tender deadline is set for Friday.