The Chicago Cubs have a chance to run away with the National League Central. They have clear needs at the trade deadline and have seemingly identified what they want to do this summer.
The Cubs lost Justin Steele to season-ending elbow surgery. Shōta Imanaga is also injured right now, but is expected to return at some point. However, the team needs to add a reliable arm to replace Steele. The Cubs starters have the 17th-ranked ERA in baseball at 4.00. The Athletic's MLB insider Jim Bowden revealed what the Cubs plan at the trade deadline is.
"The Cubs have a clear path to an NL Central title and are planning to be aggressive at the trade deadline, looking for a strong starting pitcher and bullpen help," wrote Bowden.
It's no surprise the Cubs plan to be aggressive at the deadline after the offseason they put together. They traded for Ryan Pressly and Kyle Tucker last winter and have led the National League Central for most of the year. Their offense is one of the best in baseball, but now they need their starting rotation to rise to the occasion.
There may not be too many starting pitchers available at the deadline. Sandy Alcántara was expected to be the prize of the trade deadline, but he has struggled and Bowden revealed that the Miami Marlins may not trade him if his value is low. However, players like Zach Eflin, Andrew Heaney and Erick Fedde may be available.
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Unfortunately for the Cubs, two of the teams that may be willing to trade starting pitchers may actually be in their division, the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. Those teams may not want to help out a division rival.
More MLB: Dodgers adding another starter? Insider reveals team's trade deadline plans