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MLB TRADE RUMORS โ Well, it would have been a little easier to flip to full-on sell-mode coverage for the Cubs if they had simply dropped the finale against Arizona yesterday. But I don’t think we have to sweat it out much longer either way.
Sure, they’re still only 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, but they’re also five games under .500 and behind the Braves, Cardinals, Mets, Diamondbacks, Padres, Pirates, and Giants in that particular race. So … you know. That’s about that.
And, hey … the Cubs-specific rumors have already begun.
Cubs Rumors Starting?
Earlier today, we learned that the Cubs could “theoretically” listen to trade offers for Justin Steele. That both Mark Leiter Jr. and Hector Neris were drawing trade interest. And also that trading Cody Bellinger isn’t impossible.
Meanwhile, I speculated on a potential Nico Hoerner suitor. And even if that particular idea doesn’t amount to anything, Hoerner will still likely find himself among the trade talks that happen between now and next Tuesday.
Oh, and I almost forgot that Jameson Taillon’s name twice popped up in rumors over the weekend, with a specific connection to both the Yankees and Red Sox.
The big “bummer” of the way this has all played out – besides the fact that it necessarily means the Cubs suck and are not contending again – is that the Cubs don’t have a roster built to sell. It’s one thing when you’re bad, but at least you know you’re likely to get some nice prospects back at the deadline. But right now? Unless the Cubs get bold, it’ll probably be just a boring deadline that doesn’t do much to improve the Cubs’ chances in the future. Other than, I suppose, cutting some salary and ensuring that they’re under the luxury tax. Which, whatever. That only matters if you intend to exceed it multiple years in a row, and there’s no evidence that the Cubs are willing to do so.
No, right now it’s more like “Maybe Neris gets moved. Maybe Leiter gets moves. And …?” But outside of that, it’ll have to be something more creative and aggressive, which is just not Jed Hoyer’s style (okay, Michael Busch is a legitimate exception). What a disappointing year.
If you’re looking for a general sense of who’s available and how much they’re valued, The Athletic ranks the top 50 players who could be dealt. Cody Bellinger leads the way for the Cubs at No. 18 overall. But he’s also the only Cub on the list.
Speaking of the Braves …
In his latest episode of Fair Territory, Ken Rosenthal discussed the Braves’ needs, mentioning that in addition to the uncertainty at second base/shortstop after the Ozzie Albies injury, Atlanta is also looking for help in the outfield in the rotation (following the Max Fried injury news).
He doesn’t connect Atlanta to the Cubs, but that’s now three positions of need that could maybe overlap with the Cubs’ inventory: middle infield (Nico Hoerner), outfield (Cody Bellinger), starting pitching (Jameson Taillon, et al).
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Likely Staying Put
Circling back to that ranking at The Athletic, you’ll find Vladimir Guerrero Jr. coming in at No. 5, which I bring up because I still think he could be an interesting trade target for the Cubs, given his additional year of team control and current age (25).
The Athletic has the Astros, Twins, and Mariners as potential suitors, though. And as always, real contenders, who can get more out of Guerrero this season/postseason, are likely to value him more than the Cubs.
Of course, all of this may prove moot, as USA Today calls a trade of Guerrero Jr. (and Bo Bichette) “highly unlikely.” And Buster Olney (ESPN) is hearing something similar:
The Toronto Blue Jays have signaled to other teams that they intend to try to win in 2025 rather than to go through a full rebuild, and this is being interpreted by some other teams as an assertion that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette — each eligible for free agency after ’25 — won’t be moved this summer. Two rival officials say their sense is the Jays would listen to offers for any player but would have to be overwhelmed.
Not only that, but USA Today is also reporting that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. “badly wants to stay in Toronto and is open to signing a long-term extension,” to make that a reality. By contrast, Bichette is reportedly interested in being traded.
Other MLB Rumors:
- Ken Rosenthal picked the Yankees as a particularly aggressive team at the coming deadline, but that aggression will clearly be matched by the Orioles and Dodgers, who are similarly ALL IN on this season. And for those latter two teams, Tarik Skubal might be a name to watch: