The Chicago Cubs are currently leading the National League Central. However, the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals are making it tough to run away with the division.
The Cubs could be looking to bring in some upgrades near the trade deadline to help get to the finish line. Michael Busch has seen most of the work at first base, but Justin Turner has also played 18 games there. Busch is hitting .276 overall, but just .148 against left-handed pitching. Turner is hitting .250 against southpaws, but .207 overall.
Newsweek's Andrew Wright suggested the Cubs trade for Paul Goldschmidt of the New York Yankees to serve as a platoon option with Busch at first base.
"Goldschmidt has gotten off to an excellent start this season, with a .327 average, six home runs and .859 OPS in 220 at-bats," wrote Wright. "Even more impressive, he has done incredible work against left-handed pitchers, posting a slash line of .520/.613/.900 in 50 at-bats. With the Cubs' current platoon situation at first base with Michael Busch and Justin Turner, Chicago would gladly take Goldschmidt's production against left-handers over Turner's."
Goldschmidt is playing great for the Yankees, but they may be forced to trade him when Giancarlo Stanton returns. Goldschmidt is on a one-year deal and has built himself some great trade value. Keeping him would mean pushing Ben Rice to the bench when Stanton returns.
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"New York won't be able to get Rice, Stanton and Goldschmidt in the same lineup on a regular basis, so it seems that a move of some sort will have to be made," wrote Wright. "The trade of a player on a one-year deal rather than a young, promising player could be the correct move for the Yankees to make."
Goldschmidt is a seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, four-time Gold Glove Award winner and former National League MVP. He could help the Cubs run away with the NL Central as the Brewers and Cardinals continue to hang around.
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