Latest Chicago Cubs trade rumor proves national insider uses Google

While Jed Hoyer is adamant that the Chicago Cubs see internal improvement in order for the team to remain afoot in the race for a post-season spot, it's clear that the Cubs are going to need to make a move or two at the MLB Trade Deadline next month.

The difference between the Cubs and the teams at the top of the National League is that the Cubs will be dependent on these moves addressing legitimate flaws with the roster construction. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies can look at a player like Luis Robert Jr. and add him as a sweetener to a roster that is ready to contend for a World Series title.

Nonetheless, there is a litany of needs listed for the Cubs at the deadline, no matter the national insider that does a primer for the trade deadline. The latest insider to show off their Google abilities when talking about the Cubs is former Major League Baseball general manager Jim Bowden.

Bowden writes for The Athletic (Subscription Required) while stating the obvious needs of catcher, bullpen help, and an impact bat for the Cubs at the trade deadline. If you're familiar with Bowden's work with The Athletic, you know that he throws names against a wall with the hope that one sticks. In terms of players, he floats out there for the Cubs; the big names are Pete Alonso and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Poor roster construction will force Cubs' activity at MLB Trade Deadline.

There was one name that Bowden mention that, if nothing else, was intriguing. In terms of the need that the Cubs have at catcher, Oakland Athletics' catcher Shea Langeliers was among the names mentioned.

Langeliers does not reach free agency until 2029, meaning it would be a costly move for the Cubs but one that would permanently address their need for catcher. On the season, Langeliers is slashing .202/.263/.438 with a 98 wRC+. Aftering hitting 22 home runs last season, Langeliers is on pace to top that number this season. Meaning, not only would the Cubs be addressing their need for a catcher but they would also be adding some much-need pop to their starting lineup.

Langeliers, based on 2024 numbers, would be a significant boost defensively for the Cubs as his pop-up time is among the best in baseball and rates above average at throwing runners out.

Langeliers is far from a realistic trade target for the Cubs, however, considering cost that would be associated with such a move and Hoyer's past reluctancy to include the prospects it would take to make such an impact move.