5 Under-the-Radar Players Chicago Cubs Could Nab at the Deadline
Everyone knows the big names who could be available this MLB trade deadline, such as Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto and Troy Tulowitzki. However, sometimes it's the smaller names who make the biggest difference at the deadline.
While it's possible the Chicago Cubs could make a blockbuster trade, they may also complement a bigger trade with a set of smaller ones.
Here are five players the Cubs could have their eyes on when the trade deadline comes. Nabbing them won't make as many headlines as the big players available this trade deadline, but they could be just as important to the team's success down the stretch.
RHP Mike Leake, Cincinnati Reds
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Why Reds Would Deal Him
The most obvious reason the Reds would be willing to trade Mike Leake is that he will be a free agent next season. With the Reds already looking to cut payroll by possibly getting rid of Johnny Cueto as well, getting rid of Leake would make financial sense.
Cincinnati also doesn't look like a contender this season. This would be a different case if the Reds were sitting in first place, but they may decide to cut their losses and build for the future by trading the promising young righty.
Why the Cubs Could Use Him
While the Cubs rotation as a whole has been solid (their starters own the second-best team ERA in baseball), the back end has been shaky. Travis Wood struggled as the fifth starter, and Tsuyoshi Wada, who replaced him, has been inconsistent.
On top of that, Kyle Hendricks hasn't been nearly as sharp as he was in his rookie season a year ago. All of that adds up to the Cubs needing an extra pitcher if they want to make a playoff push.
What It Would Take to Get Him
Leake is not the superstar that guys like Cole Hamels and Cueto are, so he's not going to command the same asking price, but he's still going to cost quite a bit. It's also important to consider that the Reds may not want to trade Leake to the Cubs at all since they're a division rival.
If they do decide they're OK with dealing Leake to the Cubs, then they have plenty of prospects to choose from. When it's all said and done, it could take a mid-level and better than mid-level prospect to get him.
Projected Chance: 10 percent
Projected Proposal: RHP Pierce Johnson, SS Gleyber Torres
IF/OF Ben Zobrist, Oakland Athletics
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Why Athletics Would Deal Him
Like the Reds, the Athletics don't look like they're going to be playing for anything this season. Certainly, a 34-year-old Ben Zobrist doesn't seem to fit into their future plans. He is also a free agent after the season, which makes him expendable.
While he provides a lot of depth by being able to play a number of positions for Oakland, the return the team could get for him is more valuable.
Why the Cubs Could Use Him
If there's been any position in the Cubs order that has struggled this season, it has been left field. Several guys have been plugged into the spot ineffectively, most notably Chris Coghlan. He has hit for nice power in split time, but his .218 batting average just isn't going to cut it.
There are a few solutions to the left field situation, but the easiest to pull off may be trading for Zobrist. He's a proven veteran who has played for manager Joe Maddon before and should seamlessly work his way into the clubhouse.
Zobrist has actually hit for less power and a lower average than Coghlan this season, but he's more valuable for a couple of reasons. First, he's a great clubhouse guy (not that Coghlan isn't), and second, he's versatile. Even though he'd play more often than not in left field, he could play at other infield and outfield spots on the diamond.
What It Would Take to Get Him
Given the fact Zobrist is batting just .207, his trade value isn't exactly at its highest. One would think the team would wait until he raises his trade value a bit before pulling off a deal. Even then, no team is going to have to pay a king's ransom for his services.
Zobrist is versatile and a good leader, so he has value, but the only asking price may be a major league outfielder to replace his spot in the lineup and a mid-level prospect.
Projected Chance: 30 percent
Projected Proposal: OF Chris Coghlan, 3B Christian Villanueva
RHP Addison Reed, Arizona Diamondbacks
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Why the D'Backs Would Deal Him
While Arizona doesn't look like a bad team this season, it also don't look like a contender. If the Diamondbacks want to retool rather than rebuild, they could decide to deal Reed for nearly major league-ready prospects.
He's still under contract until 2018, so that automatically increase his trade value. The team may feel it can find another closer to take his spot by the time it is ready to compete for the division in the next couple of years.
Why the Cubs Could Use Him
It's no secret the Cubs bullpen has struggled at times this season. The back end of the bullpen actually hasn't been all that bad, but adding Reed as either the closer or setup man could really increase the depth.
Having Neil Ramirez (once he returns from injury), Justin Grimm, Reed, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon in the back end would be quite the group.
What It Would Take to Get Him
Since Reed still has multiple years left on his deal, his trade value is much higher than if he were in the final year of his deal. He's also a proven closer with a solid track record, although he's not viewed as an elite player at the position.
He plays a specialized position that doesn't see time every day, so his value isn't as high as an everyday player. Nevertheless, Reed could worth two mid-level prospects at the least.
Projected Chance: 5 percent
Projected Proposal: LHP Carson Sands, OF Bijan Rademacher
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RHP Darren O'Day, Baltimore Orioles
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Why the Orioles Would Deal Him
As of right now, it doesn't seem like Baltimore is going anywhere in 2015. In a mediocre AL East, the Orioles could climb back into the playoff picture, but if the trade deadline was today, they'd probably be sellers.
If they do end up selling, O'Day makes sense as a piece to move because he's a free agent after the season, is a proven setup man and is not past his prime yet. Baltimore could get a decent package of prospects for him if it decides to move him.
Why the Cubs Could Use Him
Just like with Addison Reed, the Cubs could use a reliever on the back end to improve their depth. O'Day is actually more proven than Reed, but he has pitched more out of the setup role than the closer role.
Someone as proven as O'Day could instantly earn the trust of Joe Maddon as he continues to try to define and figure out the team's bullpen roles.
What It Would Take to Get Him
Since O'Day is such a proven back-end reliever, the Orioles' asking price could get high. Again, relievers are so specialized that they'll never command what everyday players do, but since he's a proven veteran, he has great trade value.
It will depend on O'Day's trade value at the time, but the proper asking price for him could be slightly above a mid-level prospect.
Projected Chance: 10 percent
Projected Proposal: 3B Jeimer Candelario
RHP Taijuan Walker, Seattle Mariners
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Why the Mariners Would Deal Him
Seattle is struggling partly because of Taijuan Walker's personal struggles, and they need hitting. Specifically, they're thin at the shortstop position. If they can get a shortstop for Walker, they would have to seriously consider it.
Why the Cubs Could Use Him
As mentioned before, the Cubs could use starting pitching to add depth to the rotation. Walker is a promising young pitcher who is struggling right now, but the Cubs could feel they could turn him around rather quickly.
Unlike some other pitchers they could trade for, Walker is someone the Cubs could plug into the rotation for the next five to seven years at least. That's why he could be more valuable some others at an equal or lesser price.
What It Would Take to Get Him
For the Cubs to get Walker, they would have to trade one of their many shortstop prospects. Even though he has struggled, Walker is an elite prospect. That means Chicago will have to give up an elite prospect or proven major leaguer.
Projected Chance: 15 percent
Projected Proposal: SS Starlin Castro
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