Cubs urged to add this surging slugger while there’s still time

The Chicago Cubs have been one of the strangest teams in baseball this season. They got off to a 27-12 start, putting together a pair of 10-game winning streaks along the way. But since then, they have gone just 13-25 to tumble in the NL Central standings.

The Cubs are still right in the thick of the playoff hunt, though, so it seems rather likely that they will try and make some additions before the MLB trade deadline.

Chicago is in desperate need of starting pitching, as it lays claim to one of the worst rotations in baseball. That is expected to be the Cubs’ top priority between now and Aug. 3. But Craig Counsell’s club could also some more help offensively.

There should be some decent bats available in the coming weeks, so Chicago could make a play for one of them. But is it possible that the Cubs actually have some answers within their own organization?

Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib thinks so, urging the team to call up B.J. Murray to replace the fading Michael Conforto.

Chicago Cubs could add B.J. Murray to their roster

Conforto actually got off to a strong start this season, slashing .300/.421/.433 in March and April while posting a .950 OPS in May. Since then, however, his production has plummeted. The former first-round pick is batting just .048 in the month of June, as it’s becoming increasingly obvious that his first couple of months were a bit of a mirage.

Campbell feels that calling up Murray from Triple-A could be the right antidote.

“A switch-hitter capable of playing first base, third base, and left field, Murray would also add additional versatility to the Cubs’ bench. Not to mention, he needs to be added to the 40-man roster before the next Rule 5 draft,” Campbell wrote.

Not only is there a sense of urgency to promote Murray now before Chicago potentially loses him, but the 26-year-old has been producing, too.

Murray is slashing .317/.415/.513 with eight home runs and 41 RBI over 282 plate appearances this season and was once a rising prospect in the Cubs’ organization until a rough campaign in 2024 thwarted his ascent.

Last year, Murray posted a .781 OPS with 20 homers and 89 RBI at Double-A, and he has only gotten better since his elevation to Triple-A.

It might be time for the Cubs to promote Murray to the bigs to see what he has. He can’t be any worse than Conforto right now.

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