The Chicago Cubs have watched their lead in the National League Central shrink over the last few weeks. The Milwaukee Brewers are now just 1 1/2 games out of the lead, entering play on Thursday.
Cubs starters have a 4.19 ERA this season, which is ranked 19th in baseball. The team has lost Justin Steele for the year, and Jameson Taillon is now also expected to miss an extended period of time. The rotation was already weak, and now it is missing another arm.
The Cubs will have the opportunity to add players at he trade deadline, and have already reportedly been checking in on starting pitchers. FanSided's Mark Powell predicted that Charlie Morton would end up on the Cubs.
"The Cubs will take bigger swings than Morton, don't get me wrong, but their rotation woes will not be solved by one starter," wrote Powell. "Morton is a back-end pitcher at this point in his career, and the Cubs could certainly use him in their quest to make the postseason. In adding a player like Morton – and more, ideally – Jed Hoyer can prove to Kyle Tucker that Chicago is where he should sign a long-term deal this winter."
Morton started the season poorly. He was removed from the starting rotation after pitching to a 10.89 ERA in his first five starts. However, since rejoining the starting rotation, he has a 2.97 ERA in seven starts. He could help the Cubs out, and he will be a free agent after the season.
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Morton is a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. He has a 3.60 postseason ERA in 18 games. The Baltimore Orioles are poised to be sellers, and Morton could be a valuable piece in fixing the Cubs' rotation.
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