The Cubs have 66 games left to play. Let’s do a little math here. 66 divided 162 equals…..40.7%. That’s right, there is still 40.7% of the major league baseball season left. That’s a whole lot of baseball. A lot can happen in 66 games.
The Cubs are currently 51-45 and sit 1.5 games behind the Giants for the second wild card spot. The Giants have 55 games left. A lot can happen in 65 games.
This weekend has not been the greatest weekend in Cubs history. They blew a lead on Friday and got no hit by the magnificent Cole Hamels yesterday. In fact, through his own magnificence, Hamels could have priced himself out of the Cubs getting him, or at the very least, the cost just got exceedingly high. It doesn’t feel good to lose two in a row to the worst team in baseball. But there’s a lot of baseball left.
What needs to happen for the Cubs in the next two months (read as the next five days before the deadline)?
It is easier said than done.
1. Shore up the bench and two positions.
Right now the Cubs offense is very anemic. Outside of Schwarber and Rizzo, most of the lineup is hitting between .230 and .250. With Denorfia the only viable bench option, a bat, preferably left-handed, is needed to deepen the bench. The Cubs start four rookies and they have yet to adjust to the league adjusting to them yet. Until they do, the offense is going to have its struggles.
In addition, Javy Baez completed his third rehab game in Arizona and is likely headed back to Iowa tomorrow. Give him a couple of weeks and I think he will be ready.
Names like the Orioles’ Chris Davis and the Padres’ Will Venable have been bandied about in recent days. Yeonis Cespedes is a name I have heard of late, but he would come at a very high cost – one I am not sure the Cubs can meet for a rental.
With bats being in the highest demand, it will tough for the Cubs to find a player that fits their needs and is within an acceptable cost range.
2. Add bullpen arms
Zac Rosscup is close to rejoining the big league squad. The young lefty is currently in AA Tennessee. The Cubs will have to go outside the organization to get another arm. Raphael Soriano is not the answer. After Friday’s debacle, I don’t think there is much faith in his 36-year-old arm.
I have not heard any specific player that the Cubs might be interested in for the bullpen. Papelbon is too expensive and getting Craig Kimbrel would equally be as well.
3. 5th starter
I don’t think the Cubs have to go out and get a David Price or a Cole Hamels this summer. Their first four pitchers are pretty solid. Getting just a decent arm is going to be an upgrade over what they have been running out there every fifth day for the past month.
Tyson Ross of San Diego might work or the Marlins’ Tom Koehler. The cost for what they want, they might be able to afford.
And that’s the weird thing for me. I think out of all the positions the Cubs need, starting pitching might appear to be the most needy, but it’s not.
It’s hitting. Getting more runs every game would make a huge difference for the Cubs down the stretch rather than allowing fewer runs every fifth game. It’s all about runs.
The problem in acquiring these parts is the cost.
The Cubs have the assets to get the parts they need, the question is do they want to part with them this year for a one game wild card spot. When you have to acquire one player, the cost is not so bad. The problem is when you have to acquire multiple players from multiple teams, then your system gets depleted quickly. The Cubs do have depth in the minor leagues, but they don’t have the depth in their system to go out and get 4-5 players from 4-5 teams who would just be rentals, unless cash or IFA pool money is the currency.
I can see the Cubs making a big deal for one player where they give up 4 players and the trading season is done. More than likely, the Cubs will shore up from within with Rosscup and Baez to start. From there, it looks like they might only get one or two other players just based on what it take to get them. If it only cost money, which it will this winter, then I think the Cubs would not have any issues in doing so. The fact that they have so many holes prevents them from doing so.
And if the Cubs don’t make a move by Friday, they still can still swing a deal in August, the player just has to make it through waiver claims. The deadline this Friday is a non-waiver trading deadline.
With that in mind, all hope is not lost. 66 games is a lot. An offense can turn around with one guy. A bullpen can deepen with one arm, and one starter could make a difference. And that’s the thing for me: The players they acquire in the next week don’t have to be the biggest names in the game, they just have to make a difference over the next 66 games. That’s a lot of baseball.
Cubs Central 