The Chicago Cubs find themselves sitting pretty atop the National League Central, but it’s not time to uncork the champagne just yet. With the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers nipping at their heels, the Cubs might need to make a bold move to solidify their lead, and the whispers around the league suggest they’re eyeing a big splash in the pitching department.
As the summer heats up, so does the trade buzz around the Cubs’ potential maneuvers. Their rotation, posting a 4.00 ERA, and a bullpen with a respectable 3.31 ERA, could use a boost. Missing key pieces like Justin Steele, they might seek reinforcements to stay ahead in the division race. With promising talent like Shōta Imanaga expected back, Steele’s absence might still push the team to explore the market.
One intriguing scenario, pitched by Aldo Soto from FanSided, involves the Cubs targeting the Baltimore Orioles in a trade that could dramatically alter both teams’ fortunes. Here’s the suggested swap:
Cubs receive: RHP Félix Bautista and RHP Zach Eflin
Orioles receive: OF Kevin Alcantara (Cubs’ No. 4 prospect), RHP Javier Assad, and LHP Luke Little
Now, this move hinges on the Orioles embracing the role of sellers come deadline time, which isn’t entirely out of the question unless they stage a significant turnaround. Bautista, a 2023 All-Star and winner of the coveted Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award, and Zach Eflin, currently under a three-year, $40 million deal, could be game-changers for the Cubs.
While Eflin might not fit the profile of a coveted frontline starter, he’s a solid addition. The 31-year-old righty carries a 4.08 ERA over nine starts, with a commendable 1.09 WHIP, offering consistency that’s backed by a history of sub-four ERAs since 2019. His crafty pitching has served Baltimore well, showing a dazzling 2.60 ERA in 55.1 innings last year post-trade from the Tampa Bay Rays.
But Félix Bautista is undeniably the crown jewel of this trade proposal. Even after Tommy John surgery, the flamethrower is showing he’s still got it, serving as one of MLB’s elite closers. Under team control through 2027 after agreeing to a pocket-friendly two-year, $2 million deal, Bautista boasts a jaw-dropping 2.06 ERA with a sky-high 38.6% strikeout rate and an impressive 60 saves out of 69 opportunities over parts of three seasons. This year, he’s already racked up a 3.32 ERA with 12 saves, solidifying his presence as a shutdown closer.
On the flip side, the Cubs would be parting with Kevin Alcantara, their No. 4 prospect and the No. 70 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline. For the Orioles, Alcantara could be more than just a future star in the making. He could become a key piece for them or be used as a tempting asset in future trades for more pitching reinforcements.
This trade proposition highlights the calculated risks teams must weigh as deadlines approach. For the Cubs, this could be the power move they need to not just lead the Central, but possibly run away with it.
