Chicago Cubs Trade Rumors: 5 Players Who Could Be Dealt Before August 31

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Even though the non-waiver deadline has passed, I don't think the Chicago Cubs are done moving players. With the 2011 season down the toilet the Cubs are going to be sellers before the waiver deadline passes on August 31.

It's time to turn the page on this season and build for the future. Big salaries need to be dumped and prospects need to be acquired.

Jim Hendry needs to sell hard and fast to get what he can for these five players still on the Cubs roster.

Carlos Marmol

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Carlos Marmol needs to be traded before the deadline is up. Before this season started, Marmol signed a three year deal worth $20 million. His salary needs to be dumped.

His value will never be higher than it is right now. A team may want to take a chance on him as he could be entering his prime and just going through some growing pains.

Marmol is one of the higher valued guys on the Cubs roster. He is one of the only players who you could get two maybe even three prospects for in return depending on how much of his remaining salary the Cubs eat.

 

Geovany Soto

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Geovany Soto has not lived up to his full potential since he was Rookie of the Year in 2008. He's been bitten by the injury bug every year since his Rookie of the Year season.

Soto isn't getting younger. His value isn't getting higher.

He's starting to turn his 2011 season around now that he is healthy. Even though Soto is only hitting a very mediocre .242 with only nine home runs, he had a good July. Soto hit .280 in July showing signs of returning to his rookie form.

Soto is arbitration eligible after this season. I would rather like to see the Cubs trade him away for a few prospects rather than hear about them fighting over his contract in arbitration (which they will end up over-paying for).

 

 

Carlos Zambrano

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I don't know how many times I have to say it. Carlos Zambrano is over-paid and over-rated.

He's due to earn $17.85 million this season to have another 11 win season. His career high in wins is 18 but he's averaged about 13 wins a year in each full season as a starter.

Does that make him worth his hefty contract? Absolutely not.

Trading him has to be one of those pretty please with sugar on top kind of deals. Which means the Cubs may be almost giving him away. That would be fine with me.

I think under the right deal and circumstances, a team can convince Big Z to waive his no trade clause. Potential suitors could be the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, or another team who is in the heat of the race.

 

 

Aramis Ramirez

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I know in previous weeks Aramis Ramirez has said he will block any trade with his no-trade clause but an interesting development came to be last week.

He was quoted as saying on Hardball Talk on NBCSports.com that if they're [the Cubs] are looking to rebuild, he wouldn't be able to fit so he would have to see.

Aramis Ramirez is the biggest piece of wasted talent I think the Cubs have ever had. When he was young he could field anything, had more bat speed than Juan Gonzales and Sammy Sosa, and had a cannon for an arm.

Why wouldn't a MLB player want to leave and get the excitement of a pennant race? Because Ramirez is lazy and doesn't want to work hard and play hard.

Due to make $14.6 million this season, it is time for this me, me, me player to pack his bags.

Carlos Pena

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I must have something against the name Carlos.

I like Carlos Pena, but I think he is the most reasonable player and contract to move before the end of the month.

Pena has posted pretty good numbers so far in 2011. He's hitting .220 with 20 home runs and 53 RBI. That's pretty good considering he is earning only $10 million.

If the Cubs want to get in the Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder sweepstakes this offseason, moving Pena now could be the perfect move.

Teams are interested; it is just a matter of the Cubs saying yes.