The other trade deadline is probably slightly less popular than the other white meat, but it still matters to teams around the league.
Apropos of those divisional races I mentioned in the Bullets, today is the deadline for teams to acquire new players and have them still be eligible to be placed on their new team’s playoff roster. That is to say, teams can still acquire players in September, but those players cannot be used in the playoffs. So, if you want a guy to actually help you the rest of the way, you’ve got to get him today.
Trades today are subject, of course, to the August trade waivers we’ve discussed before, and which make trades a little more difficult than back in July (before the “non-waiver trade deadline”).
Could the Cubs make a move today? Sure, it’s possible. They’ve got a bullpen arm or two that could help a team down the stretch, but that might be about it. Otherwise, the Cubs have guys that (1) they don’t want to move, (2) wouldn’t clear waivers, or (3) aren’t going to be desirable that this time of the year with a limited market.
So, I expect today to be quiet for the Cubs, though we might see a move or two around baseball. There are already rumors this morning that the White Sox are discussing an Adam Dunn trade with the A’s and Giants. Buster Olney is saying a deal with the A’s could be close.
And, hey, perhaps by this time next year, today’s deadline will be of incredible importance to the surprisingly-competitive Chicago Cubs, who just need to pick up one more bench bat or something.