Chicago Cubs Trade Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction
After a big offseason, the Chicago Cubs figure to be busy when the trade deadline arrives as they look to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2008.
The Cubs' young stars have impressed in the first half of the season and have helped the club remain in the thick of the postseason race. While the team may not have a firm grasp on a playoff spot, it's certainly going to be in contention all year.
While Chicago has plenty of young talent, it may may need to add a few pieces in order to secure a postseason berth. Adding a veteran or two is never a bad idea for a young team that is ready to take the next step.
Keep coming back throughout July to see what rumors the Cubs are involved in and what deals they make before the trade deadline passes.
Done Deals
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July 19: Designated RHP Edwin Jackson for assignment
July 31: Acquired RHP Dan Haren and cash from the Miami Marlins in exchange for INF Elliot Soto and RHP Ivan Pineyro
July 31: Acquired RHP Tommy Hunter from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for OF Junior Lake
July 31: Acquire Dan Haren from Marlins
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The Chicago Cubs have acquired right-hander Dan Haren and cash from the Miami Marlins in exchange for infielder Elliot Soto and right-hander Ivan Pineyro to the Marlins.
With the trade, Haren joins his fifth team in four season.
Haren has posted a 3.42 ERA and a 1.093 WHIP in 21 starts this season. If he keeps up this current pace, this would be his best season since 2011, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels.
If there is one thing that might concern the Cubs about Haren, it's his home-road splits. He posted a 2.71 ERA in 11 home starts, which is much better than the 4.16 ERA he posted in 10 road starts. However, the veteran has been in the league long enough that he can pitch effectively anywhere.
The 34-year-old Haren is in the final year of his contract.
While the Cubs had their highs on some of the top pitchers on the market, they have acquired a veteran pitcher who is more than capable of adding some depth to the rotation.
July 31: Acquire RHP Tommy Hunter from Orioles
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The Chicago Cubs have acquired Baltimore Orioles reliever Tommy Hunter in exchange for outfielder Junior Lake, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Hunter has posted a 3.63 ERA and a 1.164 WHIP in 39 games.
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Trade Target: RHP Carlos Carrasco
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The Cubs are interested in Cleveland Indians starter Carlos Carrasco, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Carrasco is 11-8 with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.147 WHIP in 21 starts this season.
The 28-year-old may interest Chicago more than the other remaining arms due to the fact that he is under contract for the next few years at a reasonable rate. He is making $2.337 million this season, $4.5 million next year, $6.5 million in 2016 and $8 million in 2017. His contract also includes team options for 2018 ($9 million option or a $662.5 million buyout) and 2019 ($9.5 million option or a $662.5 million buyout).
Potential Trade Target: RHP Tyson Ross
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Update: Thursday, July 30 at 9:57 p.m. ET
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, baseball sources believe that the Padres will trade Ross before the deadline. Per Nightengale, the Cubs are "pushing hard."
--End of Update--
Chicago is interested in San Diego Padres starter Tyson Ross, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Ross enjoyed a breakout year in his first full season as a major-league starter in 2014, posting a 2.81 ERA and a 1.211 WHIP in 31 starts. This year hasn't been quite as good, but he is still having a solid season. In 2015, he has posted a 3.38 ERA and a 1.393 WHIP in 117 innings.
The 28-year-old Ross, who is making $5.25 million this year, is under club control through the 2017 season.
Joe Maddon Tells Starlin Castro He Won't Be Traded, But...
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Update: Thursday, July 30 at 2:32 p.m. ET
A day after manager Joe Maddon reportedly told Starlin Castro that he would not be traded, teams are telling ESPN's Jayson Stark that the Cubs are "aggressively" trying to include Castro in any deal they make.
--End of Update--
Update: Wednesday, July 29 at 12:53 p.m. ET
Cubs manager Joe Maddon recently told Castro that he will not be traded, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
--End of Update--
With plenty of talented middle infielders, Starlin Castro has found himself in trade rumors.
According to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi, the Cubs and the San Diego Padres have had conversations about Castro. Morosi reported that Chicago is interested in San Diego's pitchers and outfielder Will Venable.
Castro is hitting .233, the worst average of his career and down 60 points from last season. Not only is he not getting hits, but he's not drawing many walks (16). The Cubs are paying the shortstop a lot of money for his offense, and he's just not producing right now.
The 25-year-old Castro is loaded with talent. However, now that he's struggling at the plate, the Cubs could look at dealing him and move on.
Castro is still guaranteed $41.4 million after this season through 2019. If the Cubs and Padres get serious about a deal, money could be a big issue.
Potential Trade Target: Yovani Gallardo
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Thursday, July 30 a 2:12 p.m. ET
The market for Texas' Yovani Gallardo is starting to pick up, with CBS Sports' Jon Heyman listing the Blue Jays, Cubs and Dodgers as the teams with the most interest. Both the Giants and Yankees are keeping tabs on the situation.
Gallardo, 29, has performed well for Texas, posting a 3.19 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 121.1 innings of work, but per Heyman, plans on testing the free agent market after the season. Having spent the bulk of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, Gallardo is more than familiar with the division and league.
Over 11 career starts at Wrigley Field, he's pitched to a 3.44 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, striking out 70 batters in 68 innings of work.
Cubs Are Looking to Bolster Rotation
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Update: Thursday, July 23 at 9 a.m. ET
Although the Cubs would like to add a starting pitcher at the deadline, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported that the club will not pay a "premium price" for a rental player.
--End of Update--
The Cubs added Jon Lester in the offseason to be the ace of their staff, and now they are looking to solidify the rest of their rotation.
Chicago's rotation ranks sixth (3.41 ERA) in all of baseball this year, so it's not like it's a weakness. However, the back of the rotation could use some help.
Lester has started to settle down and pitch like the ace the Cubs were hoping for when they handed the southpaw a big contract in the offseason. Behind Lester, Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel are having great seasons, with both having sub-3.00 earned run averages. Even Kyle Hendricks (3.55 ERA) is having a solid season.
It's that final spot that needs some help. That explains why Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reported that the Cubs' trade talks have been focused on starting pitching, not offense.
Per Morosi, the Cubs would like a pitcher who is under club control for multiple years rather than a rental player, which means Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels is more attractive to the team than Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto.
Morosi is reporting that the Cubs are looking for a front-of-the-rotation starter, so if they make a deal, it's likely going to be a big one.
Cubs Are in the Market for an Outfielder
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If Chicago makes a move to improve its offense at the deadline, it's likely going to be for an outfielder.
Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reported that a left-handed outfield bat is near the top of the team's shopping list. Given how the team's outfielders have performed at the plate this year, that's not a huge surprise.
Center fielder Dexter Fowler and left fielder Chris Coghlan are playing nearly every day, but neither of their batting averages are great. Fowler (.232) is having by far the worst season of his career, and Coghlan (.245) is hitting more than 20 points below his career average.
Right fielder Jorge Soler (.260) has hit well and has 19 extra-base hits, but he is just now coming back from the disabled list after missing more than a month with a sprained ankle.
Chicago has a very talented infield, especially on the corners. If the team can get a bat for the outfield (or have its current outfielders improve), the postseason would be a very real possibility.
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.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
