Expect Chicago Cubs rumors to pick up in the coming weeks. They are one of several National League teams that look like they will factor into the mix for a playoff spot. Someone such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could help change the tide of the team.
The NL Central is currently led by the Milwaukee Brewers, who are 6.5 games ahead of the Cubs. But, they are right on the cusp of a Wild Card spot.
Right now, there is a four-way tie between the San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. The Pittsburgh Pirates, the defending NL Champion Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals are all within 1.5 games as well.
To separate from the pack, teams could be active on the trade market, seeking upgrades to their roster. Someone has to make the playoffs and the front office that gets the most aggressive could be the difference between qualifying or staying home in October.
Looking for some punch in their lineup, recent Cubs rumors involve them targeting a middle-of-the-order bat. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Chicago has discussed the possibility of going after Vladimir Gurrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays.
“The Cubs absolutely have the prospect base to go after Guerrero, and he would stabilize the revolving door they’ve had at the DH spot,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer on May 22. “But relative to, say, upgrading the bullpen, bolstering the offense doesn’t necessarily need be a top priority for these Cubs.”
Thus far this season, eight different players have started a game for the Cubs as the designated hitter. Adding someone such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to the mix, a Gold Glove award winner in 2022, would enable the Cubs to use Michael Busch at designated hitter more, creating a potent platoon.
The Blue Jays could change the entire landscape of the MLB playoff picture if they opt to become sellers. Along with Guerrero, the team could move Bo Bichette, Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Turner.
“I don’t think they’re opposed to it,” an unnamed executive told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. “They’ve talked to teams about it. The asks were ridiculous, but I think they’re going to try to retool a lot, and using those guys to get pieces may be the way to do it.”
With seven players on MLB’s top 100 prospects list, expect Cubs rumors to continue through the deadline. If they want to be aggressive and seek an upgrade, they have the means to. Toronto would love to get back some of those players if a rebuild is the route they take.
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