What's your wish list for the trade deadline?

[CubColtPacer]

It probably matters what the upgrade is. If they have to overpay for a mid to back of the rotation starter or bench bat, that doesn't seem worth it. The Cubs very well may not need the help to make the playoffs, and those types of players don't tend to help you very much in the playoffs. It might add a couple percentage points to their chances of making the playoffs, and that does have value. But that value is probably not close to what those players tend to cost.

 

If it's a reliever, those help you in the playoffs more, but it's more of a luxury item than a glaring need at this point. An elite reliever would certainly help the bullpen, but their value would be mitigated by pushing down perfectly fine options down a slot.

 

A starting offensive option makes quite a bit of sense, but the question is where. Unless the Cubs are ready to trade one of their young starting options for a veteran, there doesn't seem to be a great spot to upgrade that won't block one of their young expected stars.

 

An elite starter makes the most sense in terms of providing upgrade both now and in the playoffs, but obviously depends on how much competitors bid up for what will likely be a very scarce supply.

 

The Cubs may still upgrade, but both their playoff positioning right now and their roster composition makes upgrading a much harder decision than it would be in a normal year. It's not typical to have such a strong chance at the wildcard while being on the very fringes of the division race in July. Usually a team would either have a stronger chance of winning the division which would make upgrading more valuable, or they would be stuck in the middle of a thick wildcard race which would also make upgrading more valuable. Maybe the Cubs will move one of those two directions in the next couple of weeks, but right now that's not where they are.

[Little Slide Rooter]

And another thing; we need a bat. But who are we replacing?

 

The knee jerk response is Chris Coghlan. Who just so happens to be one of our only consistent hitters, certainly vs. righties. He could use a Reed Johnson type to platoon with. And now that Soler's back in right, Denorfia likely becomes that guy.

 

Right field had been our gaping hole, but now that Soler's back, hopefully, his bat will soon join him.

 

Beyond that, who's expendable? Certainly not 1st, 3rd, or C. Which leaves us with: CF, 2B, and SS.

 

Fowler: I'm not going to lie, the possibility of Carlos Gomez, Gerardo Parra, or even Carlos Gonzalez are becoming intriguing. And while I don't think this is what we can expect from Fowler the rest of the year, he has been a problem lately.

 

And then there's the middle infield. Castro's making himself difficult to defend lately. Whatever they did following 2013 to fix him for 2014, they need it to begin. And then, there's defensive wonderkind Addison Russell. While I have little doubt that his bat will catch up with him in the long run, as of now, he's Darwin Barney. You really can't bench him. You could send him to AAA, but who replaces him? Javy's broken, and Alcantara's bad again. Zobrist? With Oakland kind of-sort of in WC contention, they're no longer in back up the truck mode. And while Billy's always open for business, he wouldn't come cheap.

[SouthSideRyan]

Theo is saying he's not going to overpay, and if we can't make a serious run at the division, I'm fine with that.

 

Whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

 

They don't need to win the division to win the freakin' WS.

 

Would you rather her say '[expletive] it, let's splurge. Schwarber and Edwards for the earthly remains of Ichiro!' 'Is Chase Utley still alive? He is? You want Rubi Silva and Brian Schlitter? Well that just won't do. You'll take Pierce Johnson and I won't hear any more of it!'

 

 

GFD IT you are a GD moron.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If "75% chance at the wild card isn't a good time to invest prospects" becomes an actual common argument among the BN types, that may finally be the last straw that drives me to actively rooting against the team to spite them.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

If "75% chance at the wild card isn't a good time to invest prospects" becomes an actual common argument among the BN types, that may finally be the last straw that drives me to actively rooting against the team to spite them.

 

No fault in that logic.

[UMFan83]

Theo is saying he's not going to overpay, and if we can't make a serious run at the division, I'm fine with that.

 

Whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

 

They don't need to win the division to win the freakin' WS.

 

Would you rather her say '[expletive] it, let's splurge. Schwarber and Edwards for the earthly remains of Ichiro!' 'Is Chase Utley still alive? He is? You want Rubi Silva and Brian Schlitter? Well that just won't do. You'll take Pierce Johnson and I won't hear any more of it!'

 

 

GFD IT you are a GD moron.

 

This might have been one of his worst posts of all time.

[Guest]

It seems to me that there is are a lot of strawmen in this conversation. I don't think anyone is saying not to make any moves at all. I don't think anyone is saying to trade every asset we have to improve our chances. The team will make some deals. While everyone would love Hamels, I really doubt that Theo & Jed will give up what is required unless Amaro gets more realistic with his requests.

 

I could definitely see a Parra-level addition or two, though.

[Andy]

If "75% chance at the wild card isn't a good time to invest prospects" becomes an actual common argument among the BN types, that may finally be the last straw that drives me to actively rooting against the team to spite them.

CCP described it better than I did. I want to upgrade, and hopefully a good opportunity to do so presents itself, but the unusual set of circumstances we're in makes an 'all-in' type move seem unlikely.

 

If we do get the opportunity for a kick-ass asset at a reasonable price, even if that price includes one of our top guys, I hope Theo goes for it. Right now, we're definitely in a seller's market, though. Prices aren't going to necessarily be reasonable, and we're likely going to be in the wild-card game anyway.

 

The more I think about it, the more I want an offensive upgrade over pitching if we're doing something for this year.

[SouthSideRyan]

Amaro is in charge in name only now. MacPhail will decide the Hamels return.

[SouthSideRyan]

If "75% chance at the wild card isn't a good time to invest prospects" becomes an actual common argument among the BN types, that may finally be the last straw that drives me to actively rooting against the team to spite them.

CCP described it better than I did. I want to upgrade, and hopefully a good opportunity to do so presents itself, but the unusual set of circumstances we're in makes an 'all-in' type move seem unlikely.

 

If we do get the opportunity for a kick-ass asset at a reasonable price, even if that price includes one of our top guys, I hope Theo goes for it. Right now, we're definitely in a seller's market, though. Prices aren't going to necessarily be reasonable, and we're likely going to be in the wild-card game anyway.

 

I can't deal with another 3 months of this.

[Andy]

If "75% chance at the wild card isn't a good time to invest prospects" becomes an actual common argument among the BN types, that may finally be the last straw that drives me to actively rooting against the team to spite them.

CCP described it better than I did. I want to upgrade, and hopefully a good opportunity to do so presents itself, but the unusual set of circumstances we're in makes an 'all-in' type move seem unlikely.

 

If we do get the opportunity for a kick-ass asset at a reasonable price, even if that price includes one of our top guys, I hope Theo goes for it. Right now, we're definitely in a seller's market, though. Prices aren't going to necessarily be reasonable, and we're likely going to be in the wild-card game anyway.

 

I can't deal with another 3 months of this.

What would you have us do given that any pitcher we would acquire only has a 50/50 chance of actually pitching for us in a playoff game (presuming we don't start said pitcher in the WC game)?

[SouthSideRyan]

If "75% chance at the wild card isn't a good time to invest prospects" becomes an actual common argument among the BN types, that may finally be the last straw that drives me to actively rooting against the team to spite them.

CCP described it better than I did. I want to upgrade, and hopefully a good opportunity to do so presents itself, but the unusual set of circumstances we're in makes an 'all-in' type move seem unlikely.

 

If we do get the opportunity for a kick-ass asset at a reasonable price, even if that price includes one of our top guys, I hope Theo goes for it. Right now, we're definitely in a seller's market, though. Prices aren't going to necessarily be reasonable, and we're likely going to be in the wild-card game anyway.

 

I can't deal with another 3 months of this.

What would you have us do given that any pitcher we would acquire only has a 50/50 chance of actually pitching for us in a playoff game (presuming we don't start said pitcher in the WC game)?

 

I'd sell off our soon to be FAs to build up the farm system.

[davell]

I was completely in favor of punting those seasons and building up the system at any cost. But that's FOR moments like these. We've got tons of depth to deal from-even for a ([expletive] gasp!!!!!) rental.

[jersey cubs fan]

if you guys could just learn to appreciate what you already have you would not have such an impatient and unsatisfied need for improvements.

 

[Guest]

If "75% chance at the wild card isn't a good time to invest prospects" becomes an actual common argument among the BN types, that may finally be the last straw that drives me to actively rooting against the team to spite them.

CCP described it better than I did. I want to upgrade, and hopefully a good opportunity to do so presents itself, but the unusual set of circumstances we're in makes an 'all-in' type move seem unlikely.

 

If we do get the opportunity for a kick-ass asset at a reasonable price, even if that price includes one of our top guys, I hope Theo goes for it. Right now, we're definitely in a seller's market, though. Prices aren't going to necessarily be reasonable, and we're likely going to be in the wild-card game anyway.

 

The more I think about it, the more I want an offensive upgrade over pitching if we're doing something for this year.

Never make a deal out of hunger" or whatever.

Anyway, I'd like to see the team get better and at this point increments better might just be good enough, so no I don't want them to hurt the long term in a major way for a run at the playoffs this year. I think They are good enough right now to make they playoffs. I also think there will be pitchers out there in the offseason that will only cost money.

[davell]

Build your own package, but for the right rental, these are the guys I'd say bye bye too....

 

Olt, Villanueva, Alcantara, Szczur, McKinney, Almora, Johnson, Stinnett, Zagunis, Vogelbach, Caratini, Black, Contreras, Candelario, Null, Ryan Williams....

 

Basically anyone other than Javy, Schwarber, and the highest upside youngsters. But it doesn't matter-there's not a rental out there that's getting more than a package of what can be made from the group I listed.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Oh goodie, we're back to trading some prospects "hurting the long-term in a major way."

 

If making ordinary contender-level deadline deals hurts the long term in a major way, the log term isn't that well solidified.

[SouthSideRyan]

Oh goodie, we're back to trading some prospects "hurting the long-term in a major way."

 

That's just Jim Hendry ball all over again!

[Guest]

Oh goodie, we're back to trading some prospects "hurting the long-term in a major way."

 

If making ordinary contender-level deadline deals hurts the long term in a major way, the log term isn't that well solidified.

"Ordinary" contender-level deadline deals usually avoid trading their top few prospects and deal the tier underneath that. I'd expand davell's list of players I'd put into the right deal to include basically everyone but Schwarber. I wouldn't be looking to give away guys like Javy, Torres, Sands, Steele, etc. But I'd be willing to part with them in the right deal.

[davell]

Oh goodie, we're back to trading some prospects "hurting the long-term in a major way."

 

If making ordinary contender-level deadline deals hurts the long term in a major way, the log term isn't that well solidified.

 

Good God-did you even read what I wrote? You don't have to for a [expletive] rental. There's more than enough that I listed to grab you any rental out there.

 

If we're trading for a guy with control-I don't care if Schwarber or Soler is moved honestly.

[Guest]

Oh goodie, we're back to trading some prospects "hurting the long-term in a major way."

 

If making ordinary contender-level deadline deals hurts the long term in a major way, the log term isn't that well solidified.

"Ordinary" contender-level deadline deals usually avoid trading their top few prospects and deal the tier underneath that. I'd expand davell's list of players I'd put into the right deal to include basically everyone but Schwarber. I wouldn't be looking to give away guys like Javy, Torres, Sands, Steele, etc. But I'd be willing to part with them in the right deal.

I was just going to post something like this. Although I would let it be known that Baez is there to be traded for given the right offer. Perhaps having MacPhail in charge will help loosen up things a little for Hammls, but I'm not going crazy trying to get him.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Oh goodie, we're back to trading some prospects "hurting the long-term in a major way."

 

If making ordinary contender-level deadline deals hurts the long term in a major way, the log term isn't that well solidified.

 

Good God-did you even read what I wrote? You don't have to for a [expletive] rental. There's more than enough that I listed to grab you any rental out there.

 

If we're trading for a guy with control-I don't care if Schwarber or Soler is moved honestly.

 

The phrase in quotes didn't appear in your post, a contextual clue that I wasn't replying to yours, which I found quite reasonable.

[SouthSideRyan]

Oh goodie, we're back to trading some prospects "hurting the long-term in a major way."

 

If making ordinary contender-level deadline deals hurts the long term in a major way, the log term isn't that well solidified.

 

Good God-did you even read what I wrote? You don't have to for a [expletive] rental. There's more than enough that I listed to grab you any rental out there.

 

If we're trading for a guy with control-I don't care if Schwarber or Soler is moved honestly.

 

Pretty sure he was responding to CubinNY who used the direct quote about hurting the long term in a major way.

[davell]

Oh goodie, we're back to trading some prospects "hurting the long-term in a major way."

 

If making ordinary contender-level deadline deals hurts the long term in a major way, the log term isn't that well solidified.

 

Good God-did you even read what I wrote? You don't have to for a [expletive] rental. There's more than enough that I listed to grab you any rental out there.

 

If we're trading for a guy with control-I don't care if Schwarber or Soler is moved honestly.

 

The phrase in quotes didn't appear in your post, a contextual clue that I wasn't replying to yours, which I found quite reasonable.

 

Well [expletive], my bad. Carry on.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Oh goodie, we're back to trading some prospects "hurting the long-term in a major way."

 

If making ordinary contender-level deadline deals hurts the long term in a major way, the log term isn't that well solidified.

"Ordinary" contender-level deadline deals usually avoid trading their top few prospects and deal the tier underneath that. I'd expand davell's list of players I'd put into the right deal to include basically everyone but Schwarber. I wouldn't be looking to give away guys like Javy, Torres, Sands, Steele, etc. But I'd be willing to part with them in the right deal.

 

Right, but that's why it's nice to have a farm system that isn't devoid of talent. If Torres, Sands, and Steele were the only guys with appeal to other teams, then that's all you have to offer. Since we have other guys, then you can kinda pick and choose which guys you'd prefer to keep. So the high upside, young arms -- who probably aren't at peak value right now -- can stick around, if you offer up different, good prospects that are closer to MLB-ready.

 

At the end of the day, everyone but Schwarber is available, though.