Chicago Cubs: 11 Players They Should Be Targeting at the Trade Deadline
Twenty-three games into the 2011 season, the Chicago Cubs are 10-13.
Obviously, that record is not indicative of their team salary, which is sixth in MLB.
In any event, through the first few slides you'll immediately figure out the Cubbies' main concern.
As it closes out, we'll cover a couple other positions that are also in need of some improvement.
So to get going, here are 11 players the Cubs should target before the 2011 trade deadline.
NOTE: All stats are current through Tuesday, April 26th, 2011.
A.J. Burnett: Starting Pitcher, New York Yankees
1 of 11
2011 STATS
RECORD: 3-1
ERA: 3.52
INNINGS: 30.2
STRIKEOUTS: 24
Despite not winning 20 games during any season throughout his career, A.J. Burnett has still been a rather solid pitcher.
Now, even though he's not your typical Yankee starting pitcher in terms of status (i.e. CC Sabathia or Andy Pettitte), the numbers have been respectable.
That said, he would add some much-needed quality to the Cubs right now.
Scott Baker: Starting Pitcher, Minnesota Twins
2 of 11
2011 STATS
RECORD: 1-2
ERA: 3.24
INNINGS: 25.0
STRIKEOUTS: 24
Much like everyone else on the Twins, it's been somewhat of a slow start in 2011 for Scott Baker.
However, in the past three seasons he's finished with a record of 11-4 (2008), 15-9 (2009) and 12-9 (2010).
Based on the total stats of the Cubbies' pitchers, Baker will only improve the rotation.
Matt Harrison: Starting Pitcher, Texas Rangers
3 of 11
2011 STATS
RECORD: 3-2
ERA: 3.69
INNINGS: 31.2
STRIKEOUTS: 20
The Texas Rangers may be reluctant to trade ever since Josh Hamilton went down.
But pitting the Cubs' payroll versus that of the Rangers, a deal for Matt Harrison is possible.
What's good about Harrison is that he's also rather versatile since he spent most of 2010 as a reliever (37 appearances, six starts, three holds, two saves).
Couldn't hurt to have a diverse pitcher like him, whether in the rotation or bullpen.
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Brandon McCarthy: Starting Pitcher, Oakland Athletics
4 of 11
2011 STATS
RECORD: 1-2
ERA: 3.57
INNINGS: 35.1
STRIKEOUTS: 23
After an injury-stricken 2008 season, Brandon McCarthy came back in 2009 with his best season yet.
However, 2010 was gone due to another injury—thus McCarthy's move from Texas to Oakland.
Now, if the Cubs want a pitcher that can give them quality starts like Matt Garza but who has a better ERA, he's a no-brainer.
However, the gamble is how much they trade for him due to his history of injuries.
Brandon Beachy: Starting Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
5 of 11
2011 STATS
RECORD: 1-1
ERA: 3.68
INNINGS: 29.1
STRIKEOUTS: 31
In 2010, Brandon Beachy just got his feet wet, coming to the show and making three starts for Atlanta.
This year, he's been given a role with more responsibility after making five starts through 25 games.
The Braves may be hesitant to trade a young starting pitcher, but if the Cubs want to get back on track, Beachy must at least be considered.
Gaby Sanchez: 1B, Florida Marlins
6 of 11
2011 STATS
AVERAGE: .309
RBI: 10
HITS: 25
RUNS SCORED: 13
Since 2008, Gaby Sanchez has slowly been emerging in South Florida.
This season, he's off to his best start yet, and the Marlins are only 22 games in.
Not to mention they are first in the NL East with a 15-7 record.
Sanchez is a long shot for the Cubs, but help is needed with first baseman Carlos Pena struggling at the plate.
Justin Smoak: 1B, Seattle Mariners
7 of 11
2011 STATS
AVERAGE: .288
RBI: Nine
HITS: 17
RUNS SCORED: Seven
After bouncing between Seattle and Texas through 2010, Justin Smoak has returned to Seattle in solid form.
However, the Mariners are even worse than the Cubs, so chances are Seattle will take anything that it feels will put it on the right path.
As for Smoak, he will definitely get the chance to drive in more runs, as the Cubs are much better than Seattle in terms of on-base percentage.
Adam Lind: 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
8 of 11
2011 STATS
AVERAGE: .256
RBI: 17
HITS: 23
RUNS SCORED: 12
Once again the Toronto Blue Jays are struggling in the AL East with a mediocre 11-12 record though 23 games.
However, Adam Lind leads them in RBI, so dealing for the Blue Jays first baseman will be tough.
Nick Hundley: Catcher, San Diego Padres
9 of 11
2011 STATS
AVERAGE: .286
RBI: 11
HITS: 22
RUNS SCORED: 11
In the NL West, the Padres are currently fifth with a 9-15 record.
So, much like the Seattle Mariners, they have to pretty much take anything they can to improve.
If that means trading away one of their best players in catcher Nick Hundley, then that's what has to happen.
Therefore, if the Cubs are willing to make a deal, Chicago will definitely improve at catcher (Geovany Soto's BA of .227), while San Diego tries quantity over quality.
Matt Wieters: Catcher, Baltimore Orioles
10 of 11
2011 STATS
AVERAGE: .258
RBI: 12
HITS: 16
RUNS SCORED: Nine
The past two seasons, Matt Wieters has been a solid player for the Baltimore Orioles.
The question is, will he want to be traded if the team can't get out of the bottom in the AL East?
Baltimore came out of the gates in 2011 looking like Zenyatta but has since faltered like a sprinter running a marathon.
Therefore, a team in a major market like the Chicago Cubs should be very appealing.
Especially since the Cubs do need help behind the plate.
Yadier Molina: Catcher, St. Louis Cardinals
11 of 11
2011 STATS
AVERAGE: .290
RBI: 10
HITS: 20
RUNS SCORED: Seven
Definitely will be the most difficult on this list for the Cubs to trade for solely because of the Cardinals being their big rival.
However, don't discount the world of business, as anything is possible when it comes to money.
Thus, a trade between the Cubs and Cardinals, where Molina heads to Chicago despite St. Louis' current first-place position.
The more important question?
What will the Cubs have to give up in order to obtain a starting catcher from an in-division rival?
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