7/30 - Cubs Trade Deadline Rumors & Discussion

[Outshined_One]

Since there's been a fair amount of discussion across multiple threads and forums over the last few weeks, I think it's only fair we open up something for general discussions regarding rumors today (and another thread tomorrow) for any articles, social media hubbub, and general wishcasting in advance of tomorrow's trade deadline.  There will be another thread tomorrow, and we will also have separate threads for any deals that happen.

ESPN's latest has...well, not much about the Cubs.

[gocubs218]

Houser scratched. 

[Bertz]

This from Passan stood out to me

Quote

Wednesday is the day that teams are hoping to see the asks in return for controllable players come down. If they don't, those teams will start pivoting to the rental market, understanding that it's going to be flooded and looking to strike rather than be put in a panicky position over the final 12 hours before the deadline.

 

[UMFan83]

5 minutes ago, gocubs218 said:

Houser scratched. 

Traded to the Yankees

[NorthsideAvenger]

4 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Traded to the Yankees

It was Austin Slater traded to the Yankees, not Houser. 

[BigSlick]

I’m gonna need Jed to do something right now or I will justifiably lose my mind 

[Outshined_One]

1 minute ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

It was Austin Slater traded to the Yankees, not Houser. 

Yeah, that was a weird mixup.

Houser would be a nice SP2 target behind a bigger SP1 acquisition. The Regression Monster is looming, but even then, he'd likely be a better option than Rea and could help spell some guys down the stretch.

[UMFan83]

6 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

It was Austin Slater traded to the Yankees, not Houser. 

Robert Murray reported Houser went to the Yankees too, but now saying it was a mistake lol

[muntjack]

I don't see Houser as much of an upgrade to Rea, if at all.  If they just desperately need to cover innings,  I guess,  but I don't think he adds any wins.

[PackLandVA]

I don't think the Cubs make a big splash (unfortunately). I think they will reinforce the rotation with the thought that Taillon and Assad should be back soon.  This will also help the bullpen by bumping Brown and maybe even Horton. And I think the way Shaw has been hitting since the ASB means they don't view 3B as a black hole offensively.

 

[Bertz]

5 minutes ago, muntjack said:

I don't see Houser as much of an upgrade to Rea, if at all.  If they just desperately need to cover innings,  I guess,  but I don't think he adds any wins.

Yeah with Assad and Taillon looking like they're each approximately two weeks out there's maybe not that same desperation for merely competent innings.

Like I'd still LOVE Bieber as a second SP, but I think there's less need for someone in the Morton/Houser/Soroka tier.

[gflore34]

16 minutes ago, BigSlick said:

I’m gonna need Jed to do something right now or I will justifiably lose my mind 

He'll do something, won't be big and will be, at best, offer marginal improvements, bargain bin trades if you will. 

[Rob]

Jed did trade for Kyle Tucker this offseason. It's not like he's incapable of making a big trade when he feels it's called for.

[KCCub]

2 minutes ago, Rob said:

Jed did trade for Kyle Tucker this offseason. It's not like he's incapable of making a big trade when he feels it's called for.

And traded for the best bat available 2 deadlines in a row 

[ILMindState]

I predict they get Suarez and Kelly

[Brian707]

3 minutes ago, ILMindState said:

I predict they get Suarez and Kelly

 

Hey Jed:

[UMFan83]

7 minutes ago, Rob said:

Jed did trade for Kyle Tucker this offseason. It's not like he's incapable of making a big trade when he feels it's called for.

He'll do something noteworthy I'm certain.  There's no reason not to...they are clearly one of the better teams in baseball, but also clearly have some glaring holes that can be fixed with players available, and they have enough of a prospect pool to swing something, especially if its someone they can control beyond this year.  Also while I'll rip on Ricketts all day, they clearly have some leftover payroll flexibility, not even including the extra payroll that he was granted specifically for Bregman.

[muntjack]

This is a hot take, but there's a non-zero chance that Matt Shaw out produces Suarez moving forward (he has in the sss 2nd half). 

Suarez is 2 for his last 25, fwiw.

[BigSlick]

RIP Vidal Brujan, one of the worst all-around players I've seen since Neifi Perez and Jose Macias

[Jason Ross]

51 minutes ago, ILMindState said:

I predict they get Suarez and Kelly

Jed is usually good for one "huh? That guy?" trade every deadline. And I don't mean it in a bad way. I didn't expect an Isaac Parades trade last deadline, and certainly not the way it happened. 

He may go pretty conventional this year, but I kind of expect we'll see at least one Jed-special like that.

[Bertz]

49 minutes ago, muntjack said:

This is a hot take, but there's a non-zero chance that Matt Shaw out produces Suarez moving forward (he has in the sss 2nd half). 

Suarez is 2 for his last 25, fwiw.

2.3 fWAR pace since he came back in May.  And that's not accounting for his wOBA/xwOBA gap or the fact that DRS likes his defense a heck of a lot more than Statcast does.

I don't think Shaw is better than Suarez right now, but I do believe the gap is small enough that the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

[squally1313]

1 minute ago, Bertz said:

2.3 fWAR pace since he came back in May.  And that's not accounting for his wOBA/xwOBA gap or the fact that DRS likes his defense a heck of a lot more than Statcast does.

I don't think Shaw is better than Suarez right now, but I do believe the gap is small enough that the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

And I'd rather squeeze a different fruit that has juice we are really desperate for

(too far?)

[Bertz]

Just now, squally1313 said:

And I'd rather squeeze a different fruit that has juice we are really desperate for

(too far?)

There's also this

I hate to beat a dead horse, but "we need to protect from our rookie 3B struggling" and "we need some additional CF depth" brings me back to one oft-mentioned name.

[Rex Buckingham]

 

 

Edited July 30, 2025 by Rex Buckingham

[Hot Sauce]

1 hour ago, BigSlick said:

I’m gonna need Jed to do something right now or I will justifiably lose my mind