The Chicago Cubs currently sit 5.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2017 MLB All-Star Break after a bad first half.
Chicago has failed to get in sync and have been frustrating to say the least at times. Sunday’s 14-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates was just the icing on the cake in a bad first half.
But as July moves on, the MLB trade deadline looms and the Cubs could make some moves.
On Sunday, Ken Rosenthal reported that the Cubs could trade a young position player to shake up the team a little bit. Names like Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ, Willson Contreras and Javier Baez were mentioned.
Chicago would like to acquire a controllable starting pitcher to help boost its rotation which has struggled in the first half.
The team also has prospect Eloy Jimenez who is ranked atop the farm system. Jimenez is likely untouchable at the moment.
Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan was on the Bernstein & Goff show Monday and said the Cubs could be dangling Happ as trade bait rather than Jimenez.
Passan also said he thinks Happ is still being dangled as a trade piece over Jimenez. #Cubs
— Sean Sears (@seanrsears) July 10, 2017
That’s a little surprising seeing that Happ has played really well and can play second base or in the outfield. In 183 at bats, Happ is hitting .257 and slugging .546 being a bright spot for the Cubs this year.
It’s tough seeing the Cubs getting rid of Happ and after trading Gleyber Torres to the New York Yankees last season, losing their top prospect Jimenez this year.
But if Chicago really wants a controllable starter, they may have to part with a young player that’s already on the roster.
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