Chicago Cubs have disappointing backup plan for trade deadline, per report

The Chicago Cubs feel the trade deadline clock ticking and yesterday’s news struck a blow in their reported quest for a front-of-rotation starting pitcher.

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Two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers—a reported target of the Cubs’ front office—was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers for three prospects (including former Cubs prospect Zyhir Hope). Before that, the Chicago White Sox got Seattle Mariners veteran starting pitcher—and another reported Cubs deadline target—Luis Castillo.

There are still several starting pitchers on the market, as well as plenty of quality relievers, but not landing Skubal or Castillo has to be a bit of a reality check for the North Siders. Without a farm system teaming with top talent, meeting their goals by the 4 pm CT, August 3 deadline is going to be tough in a market asking top prospect capital even for rental arms.

The Cubs’ backup plan

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However, according to the inside sources of North Side Baseball’s Matthew Trueblood, the Cubs do have a backup plan, even as they reportedly work to make a Reid Detmers deal with the Angels.

Spoiler Alert: It won’t make Cubs fans too happy.

Per Trueblood:

“The Cubs believe they can scoop up three or four useful pieces—a back-end starter, multiple relievers and perhaps a backup outfielder—near the buzzer if needed; they’ve done so before. That diffuse approach to roster building can be frustrating for fans, and it’s not always the right call, but this year’s Cubs cry out for that kind of blanket coverage. They’re thin in the starting rotation and even thinner in the bullpen. Detmers is the sexy option, but if the front office decides not to blink in its staredown with Anaheim, they might instead make three or four trades in quick succession, delivering the depth that is currently lacking for a team with World Series aspirations.”

It won’t be popular with fans

So, in short, their haul at this year’s deadline would be similar to the haul that they pulled in at the deadline last season.

Last year, after again reportedly pursuing a starting pitcher, Chicago ended up with pitchers Michael Soroka, Andrew Kittredge, and Taylor Rogers, along with utility man Willi Castro. Soroka got injured in his first start with the Cubs, while Rogers and Castro were wildly ineffective in their roles.

The inability to land a high-end pitcher was blamed on the exorbitant price demanded for starters by selling teams. But the fans, of course, didn’t care all that much for the reasons and/or excuses. Ultimately, it could be argued that the Cubs’ failure to advance beyond the second round of that season’s playoffs was due to the weaknesses they didn’t address at the deadline.

This year could shape up to be a similar situation, with the team’s hope being that the acquisitions actually pan out this time.

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