Trade deadline target

[Dfan25]

Yeah , despite what is going on , my biggest worry is that they simply don’t have enough pitching .

At some point I expect the guys who are struggling ( basically the entire lineup ) to start hitting.  With that said I think winning the division will be difficult . Milwaukee looks really tough . 
 

The Cabrera - Harrison trades are the perfect example of these two organizations . Cubs traded for Cabrera and he looks sort of shot . Brewers traded for a struggling former top prospect and he is in the cy young conversation at this point .

 

Brewers are simply a better run organization 

 

Edited Tuesday at 03:07 PM by Dfan25

[gflore34]

Given the current state of things for the Cubs.  It wouldn't surprise if the next updates on Conrad and Wiggins are they're suffered further injury setbacks.  Nothing, absolutely nothing is going well, the chances of Conrad or Wiggins even seeing the field this season grow slimmer and slimmer with each passing day.  Back injuries are really serious and fickle. think there's a better chance Conrad is done for good than him getting back on the field.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Jesus I know it sucks that his development has been delayed significantly but he was never going to factor into much this year, not sure why we are declaring his career dead. Talk about extreme. If he's done for the season, it sucks, but it doesn't really change anything. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

4 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Jesus I know it sucks that his development has been delayed significantly but he was never going to factor into much this year, not sure why we are declaring his career dead. Talk about extreme. If he's done for the season, it sucks, but it doesn't really change anything. 

Yeah, we're seeing dooming levels reach new heights. A 10 game losing streak will do that

[chibears55]

11 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Jesus I know it sucks that his development has been delayed significantly but he was never going to factor into much this year, not sure why we are declaring his career dead. Talk about extreme. If he's done for the season, it sucks, but it doesn't really change anything. 

Lol, right, the kid just 21, he hasn't even started his pro career yet, let him recover and get fully healthy first, he'll be good to go likely by July and that fine.

If he's as good as advertised,  he'll jump through the system quickly 

[gflore34]

1 hour ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Jesus I know it sucks that his development has been delayed significantly but he was never going to factor into much this year, not sure why we are declaring his career dead. Talk about extreme. If he's done for the season, it sucks, but it doesn't really change anything. 

We know back injuries effectively ended the career of Bryant, this poor kid hasn't even had a career and is already dealing with a back injury.  What's concerning is the Cubs saying, in March, his injury would delay his season for a month.  It's been 2+ months and he's no where to found, almost as if he doesn't exist.

Edited Wednesday at 05:18 PM by gflore34

[Neuby]

https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2026/05/28/farewell-nicky-lopez-hello-new-bench-option/

 

Bretts first good idea in awhile.  Mccutchen is a great fit.

[Jason Ross]

McCutcheon is cooked. He's dropped bat speed and contact rate, His batted ball data is horrible. 

At best he's going to be Justin Turner 2.0 and we saw how much fans loved a mascot 26th-man last year. Assuming Matt Shaw isn't out too long, I don't see any role for him on the bench. 

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

McCutcheon is cooked. He's dropped bat speed and contact rate, His batted ball data is horrible. 

At best he's going to be Justin Turner 2.0 and we saw how much fans loved a mascot 26th-man last year. Assuming Matt Shaw isn't out too long, I don't see any role for him on the bench. 

Shaw for Ramirez and McCutcheon for Alcantara. Why wouldn’t he have a spot? No different than what they have now. I mean, if he is cooked, that is reason enough not to bring him in. But if they think he can help, there is a spot. 
Also, for the record, I thought as a right handed bat off the bench, if Turner was the 26th man on the team he was fine. The problem was he wasn’t the 26th man. He was the main bench bat. That isn’t ideal. But McCutcheon would be the 26th man. 
I don’t care one way or another with McCutcheon. If he is cooked, as you say he is, no problem ignoring him. But if they did bring him in he wouldn’t serve the same role they needed Turner to serve.

[Tryptamine]

I'm going to be really disgusted if Hartshorn, Pedro, Kepley, etc. are used on some mediocre rental.

[Neuby]

30 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

McCutcheon is cooked. He's dropped bat speed and contact rate, His batted ball data is horrible. 

At best he's going to be Justin Turner 2.0 and we saw how much fans loved a mascot 26th-man last year. Assuming Matt Shaw isn't out too long, I don't see any role for him on the bench. 

Justin Turner 2.0 on this years roster isn't a bad fit.McCutcheon getting the at-bats Kingery/Lopez have been getting is an upgrade. 

[Neuby]

Justin Steele update today multiple weeks away from starting to throw the ball again.

[Jason Ross]

33 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Shaw for Ramirez and McCutcheon for Alcantara. Why wouldn’t he have a spot? No different than what they have now. I mean, if he is cooked, that is reason enough not to bring him in. But if they think he can help, there is a spot. 
Also, for the record, I thought as a right handed bat off the bench, if Turner was the 26th man on the team he was fine. The problem was he wasn’t the 26th man. He was the main bench bat. That isn’t ideal. But McCutcheon would be the 26th man. 
I don’t care one way or another with McCutcheon. If he is cooked, as you say he is, no problem ignoring him. But if they did bring him in he wouldn’t serve the same role they needed Turner to serve.

What position does a DH who doesn't hit have on the Cubs roster? He wouldn't hit lefties better than Shaw., He can't play a position; he's been a DH for years now. He adds no base running. Here are his Savant percentiles and his xwOBA of .237 is lower than his actual wOBA of .254:

I'd much rather the Cubs keep Pedro or Alcantara or find another Nick Lopez who might do something positive.

 

[Derwood]

Cutch is beyond cooked. 62 OPS+ and -0.3 bWAR. 

[Jason Ross]

20 minutes ago, Neuby said:

Justin Turner 2.0 on this years roster isn't a bad fit.McCutcheon getting the at-bats Kingery/Lopez have been getting is an upgrade. 

Andrew McCutcheon has the third lowest xWOBA of any hitter in baseball (337 possible) with at least 80 PA's. And he can't play a position. At least Lopez or Kingery might add some defensive or base running value. If they're going to get essentially zero PAs, Cutch offers nothing else. And even in those PA's I'm not entirely sure Lopez (career 72 wRC+) and Kingery (career 72 wRC+) wouldn't be better than McCutcheon at this stage (57 wRC+ this year and who's wOBA is outpacing his xWOBA).

Between those three, I'd probably rather have Kingery and Lopez and I think those two suck.

[JBears79]

I wonder if Jed will look to trade Conrad for a pitching upgrade at the deadline. With the breakout's of Kepley, Hartshorn, Pedro Ramirez and Alcantara (not really a breakout but the power jump this season is impressive), we could have a lot of future cheap options for the OF, not to mention if we look to maybe extend one of Happ or Seiya. 

I know Conrad is hurt but I imagine he could be an attractive piece for a rebuilding team. Maybe for Joe Ryan.

[Tryptamine]

6 minutes ago, JBears79 said:

I wonder if Jed will look to trade Conrad for a pitching upgrade at the deadline. With the breakout's of Kepley, Hartshorn, Pedro Ramirez and Alcantara (not really a breakout but the power jump this season is impressive), we could have a lot of future cheap options for the OF, not to mention if we look to maybe extend one of Happ or Seiya. 

I know Conrad is hurt but I imagine he could be an attractive piece for a rebuilding team. Maybe for Joe Ryan.

I feel like that would be selling really low.

[Rcal10]

48 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

What position does a DH who doesn't hit have on the Cubs roster? He wouldn't hit lefties better than Shaw., He can't play a position; he's been a DH for years now. He adds no base running. Here are his Savant percentiles and his xwOBA of .237 is lower than his actual wOBA of .254:

I'd much rather the Cubs keep Pedro or Alcantara or find another Nick Lopez who might do something positive.

 

Based on the data you provided to prove he is cooked, I agree there is no place for him. That said, I never said he would be a good fit if cooked. Only that, if the Cubs thought he still had something in the tank they could find a spot for him. 

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, JBears79 said:

I wonder if Jed will look to trade Conrad for a pitching upgrade at the deadline. With the breakout's of Kepley, Hartshorn, Pedro Ramirez and Alcantara (not really a breakout but the power jump this season is impressive), we could have a lot of future cheap options for the OF, not to mention if we look to maybe extend one of Happ or Seiya. 

I know Conrad is hurt but I imagine he could be an attractive piece for a rebuilding team. Maybe for Joe Ryan.

I don’t see anyway Conrad provides anywhere near the value the Cubs would need to trade him. 

[JBears79]

16 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

I feel like that would be selling really low.

I do agree with that. Just spitballing here though.

16 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I don’t see anyway Conrad provides anywhere near the value the Cubs would need to trade him. 

Fair enough

[squally1313]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

Based on the data you provided to prove he is cooked, I agree there is no place for him. That said, I never said he would be a good fit if cooked. Only that, if the Cubs thought he still had something in the tank they could find a spot for him. 

This whole exchange is painfully pedantic man. Another team cut a bad player, we don't have to isolate and dissect every single consideration of 'should the Cubs sign him'. He got cut because he sucks at hitting, and complements that with a complete lack of defensive ability. The crux of your argument, in general terms, is, I believe, 'if the Cubs think a player is good they will find a place for him on the 26 man roster,' which, sure, insightful?

[Post Count Padder]

Only reason(s) for Cutch is thinking he would provide good leadership and some fire, and him getting 3 at bats a week is better than wasting Alcantara on the bench.

I love McCutchen but he's beyond cooked.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, squally1313 said:

This whole exchange is painfully pedantic man. Another team cut a bad player, we don't have to isolate and dissect every single consideration of 'should the Cubs sign him'. He got cut because he sucks at hitting, and complements that with a complete lack of defensive ability. The crux of your argument, in general terms, is, I believe, 'if the Cubs think a player is good they will find a place for him on the 26 man roster,' which, sure, insightful?

Well this is a space where people talk sports. Much of it is painful to me. I can point to pages of nonsense talk over the last week or two. So sorry if this is worse than most.
But to your point, the crux of my comment is if McCutheon wasn’t cooked the Cubs could find a spot for him. Jason pointed out several stats that appear to back the idea he is cooked, so I have no issue with the Cubs not signing him. 

Edited 18 hours ago by Rcal10

[chibears55]

6 hours ago, Neuby said:

Justin Steele update today multiple weeks away from starting to throw the ball again.

I wouldn't count on him for much this season,  i think when he does come back, theyll likely just have him pitch a certain amount of innings before shutting him down. 

Let him go through a normal offseason and be ready for 2027

[Geographyhater8888]

20 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

McCutcheon is cooked. He's dropped bat speed and contact rate, His batted ball data is horrible. 

At best he's going to be Justin Turner 2.0 and we saw how much fans loved a mascot 26th-man last year. Assuming Matt Shaw isn't out too long, I don't see any role for him on the bench. 

Who would you be willing to give up for Skubal?

Edited 3 hours ago by Geographyhater8888