The moves the Chicago Cubs might make at this year’s trade deadline fall squarely into the “tinkering” category rather than the “OMG NOMAH!!!!” category.
Specifically, the Cubs look to try and add a lefty reliever to the pen, assuming BJ Ryan doesn’t bust out some dominance quickly. First up is a guy the Cubs considered signing late in the offseason, Joe Beimel.
The Cubs may be interested in Nationals’ lefty reliever Joe Beimel, who is 0-5 but with a 3.38 ERA in his first 41 appearances. According to one report, the Nationals have been scouting the Cubs’ minor league teams, and Beimel is available chicagotribune.com.
The Cubs are also kicking the tires on Pirates’ reliever John Grabow, who has been solid this year, sporting an ERA hovering just over 3.00. He hasn’t given up an earned run in over a month.
And then there’s Orioles closer George Sherrill, whom we’ve mentioned in this space before. He’s easily the most attractive of the lefties rumored to be associated with the Cubs, but he’d also be the most expensive.
It is highly likely that if the Cubs are serious about acquiring a lefty bullpen arm, it will be easy enough to accomplish this year, with a relatively saturated trade market. Although the obvious need right now is offense, there simply isn’t anywhere realistically to put a bat, given the configuration of this team. The team will have to sink or swim with the current offensive roster.
And as for the bullpen, adding a solid reliever is never a bad thing – and it may not even have to be a lefty, to wit, Chad Qualls – but that is a playoff move, not a make-the-playoffs move. Is this already a playoff team? Maybe.