The Chicago Cubs are currently tied atop the National League and NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers at 60-41. They have stumbled a little bit over the last few days, but are still expected to add at the trade deadline.
Chicago is a clear contender in the Senior Circuit, and they have needs to address at the trade deadline. More specifically, they need help in their starting rotation.
Justin Steele is out for the season recovering from Tommy John surgery. They also are without Jameson Taillon, who suffered a calf injury.
Mike Axisa of CBS Sports predicted the biggest move each contending team will make at the trade deadline. For the Cubs, the projected move was acquiring Seth Lugo from the Kansas City Royals.
"The Cubbies need a starter who can take the ball in the postseason, not just help them navigate the final two months of regular-season innings. Lugo is likely to decline his $15 million player option after the season, so he's a rental, and thus the Royals are expected to cash him in as a trade chip," Axisa wrote.
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Lugo is putting together a strong season with the Kansas City Royals. He is 6-5 with a 2.94 ERA and 2.8 WAR in 18 starts this year.
The Royals gave him a two-year, $30 million contract prior to the 2024 season. He was an All-Star for the first time last year.
He could be just what the Cubs need to stabilize their rotation down the stretch. He helped pitch Kansas City to a Wild Card spot last year and later to the American League Division Series.
The Cubs are in a tight race with the Brewers for the top spot in the NL Central, and a move such as this could potentially put them over the top and give them the edge in the final two months of the season.
It will be interesting to see where the Cubs land in their search for pitching.
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