Cubs’ problem with trading for pitching involves 11 other MLB teams originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Cubs‘ need for pitching before the MLB trade deadline is incredibly obvious.
Advertisement
In the end, they’ll almost certainly get a new arm, maybe more than one.
The problem, though, is that a lot of other teams need pitching. Like, more than a third of the league, by one measure.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel put out some trade rankings on Wednesday, and within the article, they list best fits for each of the players on the list.
MORE: PCA finds his way to a historic cycle
For a pair of Angels pitchers, Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano, the Cubs are listed first among best fits.
The problem is that 11 other teams are on both lists with the Cubs. Everyone needs pitching.
Advertisement
The other 11 listed teams are:
MORE: 1 year later, new Rafael Devers trade rumors have arrived
Interestingly, the Cubs aren’t one of the six teams listed for Tigers superstar Tarik Skubal. Apparently the impression is that Chicago will be shopping just below the top shelf.
Guys like the aforementioned Detmers and Soriano would be great pickups for the Cubbies, if they can win what look to be crowded bidding wars.
In the end, the fact that injuries have pushed the Cubs to an immense pitching need likely means they’re willing to overpay to get it done.
For teams that have pitchers to deal, this is a good setup. They’ll have lots of bids coming in, and they can choose the very best.
Advertisement
The Cubs will be hoping they can outbid the rest.
