The Chicago Cubs are shaping up to be buyers at the deadline, and an old friend could provide the upgrade they need.
It has been difficult to put the Cubs into one specific category heading into the deadline. They are one game above .500, but have said they want to win and play in a weaker division -- one in which they have the best run differential. Conversely, they have a hard path to the postseason through the wild card, plus some decent trade pieces that they could get big returns for.
But thanks in part to a 8-2 record over their last 10 games, the Cubs seem more likely to buy and go for it than to sell.
In such a case, then an obvious area to upgrade would be at third base. That is among the weakest positions heading into this deadline, with the most prominent option being Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario.
The 29-year-old has had a bounce-back year in Washington, where he’s hitting .258 with an .823 OPS. He has 16 homers on the season with 53 RBIs while playing acceptable defense. His market is said to be hot, and Audacy MLB insider Jon Heyman can see the fit with Chicago.
“Yeah, I think they do make sense conditionally," Heyman said Monday on the Mully & Haugh Show. "The only question would be would they be motivated enough to beat out the other teams? (Nats GM) Mike Rizzo said there are eight teams. We know the Angels are involved, the Marlins – obviously (Jean) Segura has not done a great job this year at third base for them – so there’s going to be some competition.
“Candelario is obviously having a very good year. Really hits the fastball well. Certainly would be a fit for the Cubs if they were willing to give up a good prospect at this point.”
Having to give up a decent prospect is ultimately the impasse the Cubs could face. They have to be serious about how likely of title contenders they are this season, and getting into a bidding war for a rental might not be the most prudent decision.
That said, it’s hard not to dream about the upgrade Candelario – who broke into the majors with Chicago and played 16 games for the franchise before getting traded to Detroit in 2017 – could offer.
“Right now, they’ve got some work to do,” Heyman said of the Cubs. “They’ve got a winning streak, they’re trending right, the run differential is the best in their division, but they’re still several games behind that logjam of teams that are all right around 57-47. …
“They’re around five games behind most of those teams, so they still have some work to do. But I do like that move for the Cubs, I think that would help them a lot”
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