As Jed Hoyer has told us, he expects more from the Chicago Cubs and believes the script will flip soon. Even so, the Cubs continue to give away winnable games. So, when could they start thinking about selling rather than buying?
The NL Central division is a perfect example of how wide-open the league is. The Milwaukee Brewers hold a seven-game lead over second place. However, the other four teams are separated by just one half-game. Of course, that can be credited to the Cubs over these last few weeks. They brought everyone in the division back into contention after losing the series to all of them.
Even the wild card race is tight. Eight different teams are separated by less than four games for the final spot in the playoffs. If you include the division leaders and the first two wild card spots, 13 of the NL’s 15 teams are in playoff contention. Obviously, the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins are the two teams out of the race.
This has to catapult the Cubs into thinking they are in the thick of contention. Adding pieces to round out the roster better could separate the Cubs from the mediocrity. Jed Hoyer believes they are that close. However, with their play as of late, they could be just as close to bowing out of the race in 2024 and letting the other teams duke it out.
As currently constructed, the Cubs are far from contending for a championship. Their top talent is underperforming, and there is no power, catching, or closer. You cannot win that way. They need to add, but they may very well sell. The first potential trade target has surfaced, and it’s a doozy.
Cubs’ Outfielder Ian Happ Named In Possible Trade
Jim Bowden of The Athletic analyzed the trade needs of each contender this season. The Atlanta Braves are reeling after losing former MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. for the season and need help filling the void. In their search for another outfielder, Bowden named Cubs outfielder Ian Happ as someone the Braves may take a look at making a move for.
Happ is coming off an All-Star Game appearance in 2022 and two consecutive Gold Glove Award-winning seasons. The Cubs were rumored to be moving him near the deadline in 2022 but either did not find enough compensation on the market or felt he was worth trying to extend. The extension did get done during the 2023 season.
Happ this season is batting .215 with six home runs. His numbers are nothing impressive, but there has been an uptick in performance these last few weeks as an individual, even as the team as a whole skids.
Everyone needs to pump the breaks before anyone throws their arms up in frustration or joy. Even if the Cubs turn into sellers, it is overwhelmingly unlikely that Happ will be moved at the deadline. As part of his recent contract extension, Happ was given a no-trade clause. This means that even if the Cubs had a deal to move him, Happ would get the final say as to whether he would waive the clause.
If the Cubs are not buyers at the deadline, they may have a piece or two teams looking at them and being willing to move. However, don’t expect anything significant. If the Cubs are not buying, they’ll take their chances as is in 2024 while focusing on contending in 2025 (a very dangerous cycle).
