CHICAGO — There was loads of buzz in regards to the Chicago Cubs doubtlessly making huge strikes on the MLB commerce deadline, however the workforce in the end opted for midtier enhancements as an alternative of a splashy addition.
That wasn’t the case for a few of Chicago’s prime Nationwide League opponents. The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and San Diego Padres all landed high-end closers whereas the Cubs traded for relievers Taylor Rogers and Andrew Kittredge together with starter Mike Soroka — who’s on the IL after leaving his first begin in Chicago due to shoulder discomfort — together with utility man Willi Castro.
“It is onerous whenever you see different groups you are competing with get actually good gamers, however these aren’t choices you are making within the second,” GM Carter Hawkins advised ESPN. “Their choices you are making over the course of the week and month. It takes some self-discipline, particularly in a second whenever you see issues transferring that method, however we had been capable of persist with our method and felt actually good in regards to the provides we had been capable of make.
“Groups are looking for that man that may lock down the eighth or ninth inning however that additionally prices quite a bit. That prices quite a lot of future wins. We’ve got a duty to the 2025 Cubs but in addition the 2032 Cubs. That is not all the time well-liked within the second, nevertheless it’s choices we’ve got to make.”
So the place do these commerce deadline choices go away the Cubs coming into the stretch run? Is their present roster sufficient to maintain up with the Milwaukee Brewers within the NL Central race? And have they got a championship-level workforce that may compete in a loaded NL come October?
We requested a panel of three MLB insiders — a coach, an govt and a scout — to evaluate Chicago’s post-trade deadline roster.
Beginning pitching
The Cubs rank 14th in starters ERA and the way far they might go to enhance the rotation was the largest query surrounding the workforce forward of the deadline.
Chicago has endured a number of key accidents to the rotation, together with dropping Justin Steele (elbow) for the season, Shota Imanaga (hamstring) for over a month and Jameson Taillon (calf), who’s due again this month. Proper-hander Javier Assad can be anticipated again quickly however hasn’t pitched all season due to an indirect difficulty.
After coming from the Washington Nationals on the deadline, Soroka’s debut for the Cubs lasted solely two innings and now the workforce is left ready to see when he returns. Even when Soroka does come again, he’s extra of a back-end possibility or postseason swingman than October starter.
“While you hear what the starter’s costs had been and that Miami was making a run, all of it elements into it,” Cubs left fielder Ian Happ mentioned. “It is onerous to select these varieties of men up.”
Proper now, Imanaga, Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton line up because the workforce’s prime three starters with Imanaga and Boyd the 2 locks for the workforce’s postseason rotation.
Scout: “Hiccup is their pitching: They’ve playoff starters in Imanaga and Boyd (I like Boyd, however he has historical past of accidents and fatigue). Others like Cade Horton and Colin Rea can flip in sport however unsure you’re feeling snug handing the ball in a Recreation 3.”
Government: “I actually thought the Cubs would add one other beginning pitcher. I believe they’ve sufficient pitching to get to October, however I fear about them with the ability to match up towards a few of the different actually deep NL golf equipment.”
Coach: “Outdoors of Imanaga, they’ve good, five-inning pitchers for October. I will take my probabilities towards Horton, Taillon and even Boyd a 3rd time via the order, however I like Imanaga. It is all the time onerous to sq. him up.”
Bullpen
The Cubs’ bullpen ranks 12th in ERA with deadline additions of Rogers and Kittredge becoming a member of to fill a particular want.
In accordance with ESPN Analysis, earlier than these trades, the workforce ranked final in baseball by a large margin in sinkerball utilization. In truth, the Cubs’ 4.9% fee of throwing the pitch can be the bottom by any workforce since way back to accessible information (2008).
Rogers (50%) and Kittredge (34%) instantly grow to be the workforce’s prime sinkerballers, an vital trait when needing a double play on a workforce with standout infield defenders.
“They’re guys which have a special pitch profile,” shortstop Dansby Swanson mentioned. “It actually helps give some new appears to be like in our bullpen. Hopefully, our protection can assist them too.”
Scout: “They’ve addressed their bullpen, however nonetheless has some weak hyperlinks. Superb defensive membership that may stop runs for these guys.”
Government: “October baseball often facilities round pitching, and I do have considerations about their skill to win a protracted collection.”
“I perceive why they did not go after these closers that modified groups, however you are asking quite a bit out of [Daniel] Palencia in October. I am unsure they’ve sufficient.”
Coach: “Once we confronted them, Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz had been lights-out. However you possibly can by no means have sufficient. I learn the place they’ve three lefties now, which can turn out to be useful when dealing with groups just like the Phillies. Caleb Thielbar is underrated.”
Lineup
The Cubs’ offense has been close to the highest of the league for a lot of the season however is slumping of late. The center of the order has gone quiet, beginning with All-Star Kyle Tucker who’s hitting simply .212 because the All-Star break.
The workforce determined to not search a 3rd baseman as Eugenio Suarez, Ryan McMahon and Ke’Bryan Hayes all moved on the commerce deadline. As an alternative the Cubs selected to accumulate super-utility man Willi Castro from the Minnesota Twins.
Castro has already demonstrated his versatility. In his first few days with the workforce, he began 4 video games at 4 completely different positions, giving regulars a break because the canine days of August descended.
“I believe he fills one other want,” Swanson mentioned. “We did not actually have that. … I am by no means stunned by the deadline. He provides to what we’ve got right here.”
Scout: “It has been offense all 12 months. They need to have sufficient velocity there as playoffs can come right down to a stolen base.”
“Superior up-the-middle protection. [Michael] Busch is the perfect underrated participant that may play good protection and contributes properly offensively. [Matt] Shaw‘s protection is robust and the addition of Castro helps as properly.”
“Their weak point is the bench, however Castro might change that. That is pickup that quite a lot of groups had been taking a look at.”
Government: “The excellent news for them right here is that they’ve an amazing offensive workforce, so they’ll be a tough matchup for anybody within the playoffs. … There are many groups that would use a Willi Castro, in order that’s pickup.”
Coach: “They’re weak towards lefties. When Tucker is not hitting them, they will have hassle. However he often does, in order that units up that complete center of their lineup. Because you requested, I did not assume they might contact their offense on the deadline. They’ve the items already there to do harm each in energy and velocity.”