So you are the Chicago Cubs, just strutting along doing Chicago Cubs like things. You know, like playing .800 baseball, having arguably the best offense and pitching, and getting direction from possibly the game’s best manager (don’t make the World Series argument). If you were a fan you’d think, “this team is perfect!” If you were Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer you’d think, “how can we get even better?”
Mind you, no team in baseball’s history has ever finished a season playing at or above .800 ball – the 1906 Cubs .763 is the highest winning percentage in MLB history. While the Cubs are arguably the best team in baseball right now, it is the front office’s job to ensure they maintain that status all the way to the very last game of the 2016 World Series. Keeping this in mind, there are areas in which the team could see some improvement.
Jim Bowden of ESPN listed out several possible trade targets that the Cubs would be interested in. Each of these guys would be a HUGE upgrade, and help the Chicago Cubs do Chicago Cubs things into late October.
Now let’s dive in…
Carlos Gonzalez
The Cubs had interest in Carlos Gonzalez last season, and why not? CarGo has a career slash line of .291/.347/.522 and his 180 career home runs would look great in Wrigley. While his career splits away from hitter friendly Coors Field might scare some off, he is a solid hitter in today’s game and would be an upgrade over Jorge Soler‘s chilled bat.
Carlos has however always hit in Wrigley, owning a 1.000 OPS, and his 9 HR is the second most he’s hit in an opponent’s ballpark. Impressive since he only plays a series a year in Chicago, while playing nine or more games a year in NL West opponent parks.
Nick Markakis
I’m not going to lie, I have ALWAYS loved Nick Markakis’ bat. In fact, just about every MLB The Show game I buy, I end up trading for Nick to patrol the Wrigley outfield. Currently Nick is in MLB purgatory. The Atlanta Braves are playing awful baseball, and his .294 AVG and .394 OBP is getting wasted. He is a solid, and underappreciated talent in this league.
While he hasn’t done much in the Friendly Confines, he’s only played a total of 12 games here mostly since he had always been an American League guy. And while I’d love him on the Northside, I personally think he fits better on the Southside and on the Chicago White Sox roster.
Josh Reddick
How excited would you be if the Cubs landed Josh Reddick? Not only is he off a crazy weekend which he slashed an amazing .542/.560/.625 with 13 hits in just 24 at-bats, he is just one of those winning ballplayers.
While Josh’s slash line doesn’t jump off the page at you (.254/.315/.437) it is everything that he brings to the ballclub on any given day. Already posting a 1.5 WAR, he is on pace to have the best year of his career. This would be a huge upgrade to Soler’s lack of production in what should be a gigantic opportunity.
Jay Bruce
Jay Bruce would be a tough sell on Chicago Cubs fans. Not only would he be coming from a divisional rival, the Cincinnati Reds, but his play over the past three seasons just have not been stellar. While his bat may still have some pop in it, his .223/.288/.417 slash line and -0.9 WAR over the past three years screams a guy that is past his prime.
Now maybe it’s been looming trade rumors, or playing for a team that has been in a steady decline, but sticking with Soler in left field, even in a platoon role, looks better than acquiring Bruce at this point.
Ryan Braun
Now the big one. Ryan Braun. There are going to be a lot of mixed feelings about bringing Braun to the Cubs. While yes he plays for the Milwaukee Brewers, and has done a lot of damage to the Cubs over the years, Ryan is still one of the premier players in this league. But not only will Cubs fans balk at acquiring him because he plays for a rival, you will be certain that there are fans that will not accept him because of his alleged performance enhancing drug issues.
My feeling is, you don’t have to accept the man because of his past but once you see what he could do on the baseball field you will be ecstatic. While he doesn’t have the personality of a Dennis Rodman, acquiring Ryan will have a similar feel. Here is a guy that’s been a thorn in your side for years, and now all of a sudden you’ll have to cheer for him. And knowing what I know about Ryan Braun, you will be cheering a lot.
Braun has a .306/.368/.546 career slash line (yes, I said career) with a .914 career OPS (again yes, I said career). Oh, and he LOVES playing the Cubs. Owning a career .338/.418/.573 slash with 23 HR, 94 RBI, and 40 doubles – Ryan has put together MVP like numbers in just 124 games against the Cubs.
While I know a lot of Cubs fans don’t want to give up on Jorge Soler’s bat just yet, I am in no way suggesting that. What I am suggesting is an upgrade to Jorge in the short-term. He has been given a huge opportunity with the Kyle Schwarber injury, and he just has not delivered to this point. While I am certain Jorge will eventually hit in this league, the Cubs are on pace for a special season and it would be a shame to have that special season cut short because of a light hitting left fielder.
If the only way to improve this team is by sending Soler in a deal, you do it without second guessing. Soler still has some stock left, even with his struggles. While you hate to see that potential be shipped out – especially if it is within the division – the focus is a World Series title. About four of those names above get you one.
