Question of the week: name your trade candidate

[Brock Beauchamp]

A little different format for the question of the week. Within reason, who is your #1 trade target in the next six days? The guy who, if acquired, would make you give the Cubs a B or higher grade at the trade deadline if that's all they did at the deadline.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'll be a dick and say Ryan AND Gore.

[CubinNY]

Gore for sure or even Cease. 

[Rex Buckingham]

If we're looking at a B minimum, I'd say Merrill Kelly. For it to reach an A, I'd want a starter we can hand the ball to in game 2 in October and who we'd have for at least 2026

[Tryptamine]

Gore or Ryan, no questions asked.

[mul21]

I think Ryan is the most realistic target that would get that automatic grade from me.  I could probably be talked into Clase doing the trick as well.

[Outshined_One]

If we're "within reason", that puts Gore and Ryan out of the picture.

A B-level trade deadline would look like Mitch Keller, Willi Castro, and someone like Caleb Ferguson or Hoby Milner to me.  Not splashy, but it would address three needs (rotation, bench, bullpen) and improve the team across the board.

[Brock Beauchamp]

3 hours ago, Outshined_One said:

If we're "within reason", that puts Gore and Ryan out of the picture.

The Twins are listening on Ryan, which IMO puts it within reason.

[Bertz]

I'd be pretty ecstatic for any of Gore, Ryan, or Cabrera.  I think when you combine what those guys do to set up the postseason rotation in the short term plus how they affect this coming offseason, it's just a massive impact.

I don't think any rental can be only move made over the next week and not leave me livid that more wasn't done.  Even Cease.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Joe Ryan, not close.

[731.4life]

Would Birdsell be enough for Suarez? Straight up. I noticed Arizona wants pitching in return..

[Tryptamine]

1 hour ago, 731.4life said:

Would Birdsell be enough for Suarez? Straight up. I noticed Arizona wants pitching in return..

I wouldn't be at all shocked if an eventual package ended up looking something like Long+Sanders/Birdsell

 

edit: I do think that's on the high side of expected returns, but I can definitely see it happening.

Edited July 26, 2025 by Tryptamine

[Matt W]

Over/under on number of top 10 Cub prospects who get shipped at this deadline-4.5? 

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, Matt W said:

Over/under on number of top 10 Cub prospects who get shipped at this deadline-4.5? 

I would go under that number. I am not sure the Cubs will even move more than 4 prospects overall, let alone more than 4 top 10 prospects. 

[Rcal10]

I don’t think the Cubs can acquire one guy at the deadline that would allow me to grade their deadline as a B. It would have to be either Gore or Ryan, and even then, because of what they would obviously have to lose to get one of those guys as well as lack of additional pick ups, I am not sure that would rank as a B deadline. There are numerous options of multiple players what would get them a B. 

[Tryptamine]

10 minutes ago, Matt W said:

Over/under on number of top 10 Cub prospects who get shipped at this deadline-4.5? 

100% under. 

[Matt W]

You have to figure one of both of Caissie & Kevin A plus some back-end of Top 10 guys, no?

[Tryptamine]

8 minutes ago, Matt W said:

You have to figure one of both of Caissie & Kevin A plus some back-end of Top 10 guys, no?

Unless Ryan, Gore or Cabrera are available I find it rather unlikely Caissie is going anywhere. 

[Matt W]

@TryptamineAm I remembering you from the old Den message board?

To your point, I think Jed goes pot in on controllable SP.

[Tryptamine]

Just now, Matt W said:

@TryptamineAm I remembering you from the old Den message board?

To your point, I think Jed goes pot in on controllable SP.

ESPN, PSD and here, that's been it for me.

[Matt W]

40 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

ESPN, PSD and here, that's been it for me.

Boy, it must’ve been ESPN and it’s been ages since I’ve posted there. You’ve always brought great insights.

[PeanutPunch33]

Ryan and Gore get an A if they pull that off.  If they get Suarez and either Kelly or Gallen, I'd give that an A- too.

Any scenario where they trade major piece(s) to get a closer like Clase, gets a C or D for me.  I'd rather commit the big resources to a starter and go bargain shopping for BP help, then the other way around. 

I hope they come away with Sandy Alcantara, Suarez, and a decent reliever like Garrett Whitlock.  That would get an A+ for me.  Addresses every need and they can possibly pull it off without giving up Owen.  

 

Edited July 26, 2025 by PeanutPunch33

[Rcal10]

21 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Ryan and Gore get an A if they pull that off.  If they get Suarez and either Kelly or Gallen, I'd give that an A- too.

Any scenario where they trade major piece(s) to get a closer like Clase, gets a C or D for me.  I'd rather commit the big resources to a starter and go bargain shopping for BP help, then the other way around. 

I hope they come away with Sandy Alcantara, Suarez, and a decent reliever like Garrett Whitlock.  That would get an A+ for me.  Addresses every need and they can possibly pull it off without giving up Owen.  

 

Ryan or Gore and nothing else, gives them an A? I don’t agree. That isn’t a big enough deadline. It is good, not A. Plus to get one of then I am sure you lose 2 of their top 5 guys plus more. 

[731.4life]

I am okay with trading Caissie to Minnesota for Ryan + Duran or to Miami for Alcantara + Cabrera. Only reason why for those two teams because I believe the return is good enough to get rid of Caissie. 

If Arizona offers the Cubs Suarez + Kelly, then I would rather not offer Caissie because I don't believe the return would be as high profile as the other two teams. Suarez has been red hot, but he is also known to be ice cold for a long stretch of time as well. Something tells me Cubs may not go after Suarez as much because of Shaw's recent play. 

I know some people may not be a fan of acquiring Alcantara because of the season he is having, and that's fine. However, if the pitching staff/front office see something in Alcantara and believes this mechanical tweak can upgrade his performance, then sign me up. He still has good stuff.

For Washington and McKenzie Gore, I would take him, but I am not sure if Washington would want Caissie because they have a surplus of outfielders.

Edited July 27, 2025 by 731.4life

[Randall Simon]

If Suarez isn't a Cub, its highly likely he's a Brewer. It may be worth the acquisition cost as much to keep him away from Milw as it is to help the Cubs.