This Cubs pitcher continues to make case for being moved at MLB Trade Deadline

With the Chicago Cubs trending toward being sellers at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline at the end of the month, the question has become who, if anyone, could the Cubs move as a way to better their long-term outlook.

There has been a small segment of fans that believe that the Cubs can't sell at the deadline for the mere purpose of the team having no one to move and that simply isn't true. Regardless of the season outlook and contractual statuses of players on the roster, there is always an opportunity to sell for a team underperforming.

For the Cubs, the biggest trade chip that they may have at the deadline is veteran starting pitcher Jameson Taillon.

Taillon went from being a free-agent bust during his first season with the Cubs in 2023 but has quietly returned to form this season. After notching another quality start and lowering his season ERA to 2.99 after the Cubs' victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, Taillon was among the pitchers that Jon Heyman of the New York Post mentioned who could be moved at the deadline.

"11. Jameson Taillon, Cubs
Solid starter and clubhouse guy could go if Cubs sell. Trade chances: Medium."

New York Post

Taillon does have two more years on his contract before reaching free agency, meaning, an acquiring team would have him for beyond this season. A trade of Taillon, admittedly, may be easier to accomplish during the off-season but given the need that often exists for starting pitching at the deadline and if the Cubs follow the blueprint that the New York Mets had last season in moving Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, the Cubs could eat a majority of Taillon's contract in an effort to better the package they receive.

Moving Jameson Taillon would not hurt the Cubs' long-term outlook.

With the emergence of Javier Assad and Ben Brown this season, the Cubs' long-term outlook for the starting rotation remains strong. That fact remains especially true once you factor in Jordan Wicks and top prospect Cade Horton into the picture as well.

It's also worth mentioning that, unlike last offseason, the free-agent market for starting pitching this winter should be strong. This means that the Cubs could move Taillon while addressing another area of need at the deadline and then replace his spot in the rotation with a signing this winter.