The MLB deadline for trades has ended. Big moves made by buyers and sellers and we know who is all in and who is rebuilding.
One of baseball’s most looked at teams during the deadline was the Chicago Cubs. The young team has been in the Wild Card race since the start of the season; they are currently 54-47, and 2.0 games behind the 2nd Wild Card Giants.
Thus has seen a swirling wind of rumors as to what Theo Epstein would do to improve the team. Many names have surfaced including Craig Kimbrel, Tyson Ross, Jedd Gyorko, super utility man Ben Zobrist, Scott Kazmir and long time Phillies ace Cole Hamels. Part of the rumored targets greatly involved the moving of struggling SS Starlin Castro. Also included in the talks were three-team trades with the Padres and Red Sox which included some of the previous names.
The Cubs are in a position in which their young stars like Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber are hitting the Bigs for the first time with other prospects still in the minors. This team was looking at improved competitive play and not necessarily World Series contenders at the season’s start. It is easy to say they are ahead of schedule when it comes to overall team play.
So what did Theo do at the deadline, he did not make any blockbuster moves but did pick up some arms.
First move was acquiring veteran RHP Dan Haren from the Marlins in exchange for two minor league players. Haren has a 7-7 record with a 3.42 ERA in 2015. His job will be a 5th starter who will eat innings, which is much needed for the Cubs rotation and their lack of a healthy 5th starter.
When the deadline ended at 3:00 CT on July 31st, the Cubs acquired right handed reliever Tommy Hunter from the Orioles in exchange for OF Junior Lake. This will add a nice bullpen piece in a pen that has seen ups and downs in 2015; Hunter has 3.63 ERA in 39 games this season.
Two solid moves, and it is wise not to be upset at the lack of blockbuster moves. Draining the farm system for a shot at the Wild Card this year would not be ideal as the young stars have a way to development.
The Key to the Chicago Cubs success is years of sustained competition, no need to trade that away for “win now” shot. That is not how Theo Epstein wants to build the club.
Alex Patt
@chifanpatt1
