This under-the-radar trade target could push Cubs back into NL Central conversation

With a series win over the Milwaukee Brewers last week, the Chicago Cubs left the door to climbing back into the National League Central. At the very least, the Brewers didn't slam the door shut. It also likely added incentive for Jed Hoyer and Co. to act with urgency ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

Hoyer has already been working the phones. If a pitcher becomes available on the wire, the Cubs are likely to have strong considerations toward placing a claim. If not, Hoyer is urgently looking for a trade partner. He found one last week in the New York Mets, striking a deal for David Peterson.

As long as the Cubs remain in contention, Hoyer isn't going to waste the opportunity that is the trade deadline. Short of the train completely coming off the track for the Cubs over the next month, they will be buyers.

Beyond buying to fortify their impression as a contender this season, the Cubs should view the deadline as a way to add talent that can also help beyond this year. In other words, rather than target a rental starting pitcher, look for one who is under control.

One Cubs' trade deadline target not really being talked about

There are the usual suspects. Sandy Alcantara, Joe Ryan, and Logan Webb should be clear targets for the Cubs. Either of those three would give the Cubs a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher not only for this season, but next when Cade Horton will still be recovering from Tommy John surgery. Not to mention the reality of Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon being free agents.

One under-the-radar target the Cubs may keep an eye on is Kansas City Royals' pitcher Michael Wacha. In the second year of a three-year deal carrying an AAV of $17 million, Wacha has an ERA of 3.31 through his first 17 starts this season. He also has a club option for the 2028 season.

While the Royals haven't firmly come out and said they will be selling at the deadline, they are running out of time to turn their season around. Kansas City has been facing a double-digit deficit in the American League Central in recent weeks, and are more than 10 games under the .500 mark on the season. The writing is on the wall.

The control for the next two and a half years wouldn't make Wacha cheap, but he certainly wouldn't carry the same price tag as Ryan or Webb. As the Cubs look to thread the needle between contending this season and addressing some future needs, Wacha would be an easy way to check that box.

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