It's been an exciting year so far for the Chicago Cubs, but there's still a lot of work to be done.
Entering play on Wednesday, the Cubs had a 41-26 record and a five-game lead atop the National League Central. But competition is fierce in the National League, and the Cubs' roster isn't without flaws.
The Jul. 31 trade deadline will be a pivotal date in this season, as it represents the last chance for the Cubs to make meaningful acquisitions. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer will be the man of the hour at the deadline before fading into the shadows before the offseason.
It just so happens that Hoyer spoke about the Cubs' trade deadline plans before the team's game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. And he made fairly clear what the team's number-one objective will be.
“Our position playing group has been outstanding both offensively and defensively,” Hoyer said (via Marquee Sports Network on YouTube). “That gives some clarity. You don’t know what’s going to happen over the next month and a half with that group, but right now, the focus would be on adding pitching and pitching depth. That would be the clear thing.
“Maybe there’s an upgrade, whether it’s on the bench or a complimentary piece, but I think this group is really good and it’s not just on offense but on defense as well.”
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Hoyer was happy to credit the Cubs' pitching staff for staying afloat despite injuries to their number-one and two starters, Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele. But with Steele out for the rest of the year, Chicago will at some point require reinforcements.
“We have to continue to address that in all sorts of ways,” he said, “whether it’s trade deadline and small transactions and also getting some of these guys healthy.”
It's a little early to determine who this year's sellers will be, but it's clear the Cubs will have a watchful eye on the market. And it seems like Hoyer can be counted on to add at least one new arm by the end of July.
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