Cubs Rumors: Looking at 5 potential landing spots for Marcus Stroman

With strong play over the past week or so, including a historic series-opening win over the crosstown rival White Sox on Tuesday, the Chicago Cubs have swung from sellers to potential buyers. Their fate at the trade deadline will be determined by the results over the next few days, but in either case, Marcus Stroman looks like a logical trade piece.

Stroman, who is ineligible for a qualifying offer at year's end, has an opt-out in his deal that will allow him to test free agency this offseason. He's all but certain to do so, barring a season-ending injury or total collapse down the stretch, which could prompt the Cubs to trade him and net at least something in return, rather than simply letting him walk for nothing once the season wraps up.

With Cubs trade rumors swirling already and exepcted to ramp up even more heading into the weekend, here are 5 partners in a potential Marcus Stroman trade.

5 potential partners in a Marcus Stroman trade: #5 - Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers took a big swing last winter, inking the dominant, yet injury-prone Jacob deGrom to a five-year, $185 million contract. Year one of the deal didn't end well, with the right-hander tearing his UCL and needing season-ending surgery after just six starts with his new club.

Even without him, the Rangers have challenged the longtime kings of the AL West, the Houston Astros, with July winding down and just one game separating the two clubs as of Wednesday evening. Texas' offense deserves the credit for where the team finds itself, but don't sleep on the Rangers rotation, either, which ranks fifth in MLB in ERA.

Slotting Stroman into an already-strong staff with a solid defense behind him is a recipe for success. We've seen that over the last two or so years with the Cubs. If Texas is ready to push its chips in and try to knock off the Astros, adding Stroman to the mix could be a difference-maker.