In an ideal world, the Chicago Cubs would've made a significant step forward in 2023. Selling at the deadline is the right decision moving forward.
Give Jed Hoyer, David Ross and Co. some credit, they have said all the right things leading up to the MLB trade deadline. In fact, the Cubs are still not guaranteed to sell. Series against the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals are bound to play a role in that choice. Hoyer has stated he wants to do what's best for the organization.
With an eye towards 2024, the Cubs would be wise to sell off expiring assets like Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger. Both are expected to be two of the more valuable players available at their respective positions. They could also leave this winter for nothing should Chicago not extend them.
For what it's worth, it seems both Stroman and Bellinger have come to terms with that fact. Contract negotiations fell short of expectations for both players. The business side of the game can be cruel at times, but Stroman would welcome a Chicago reunion should they trade him elsewhere for half a season. He loves being a Cub.
Cubs trade to make: Send Marcus Stroman away
It's painful, yes, but Marcus Stroman is Chicago's most valuable asset, and they should trade him while they have the opportunity to recoup something for his value. If anything, trading Stroman comes with a nice caveat — he'd be open to re-signing with the Cubs this offseason.
"I know I would love to stay here, but a lot of that's out of our control. At the end of the day, it's a business, so we have to treat it as such, even though we have this love for this fan base and this organization," Stroman said. "I love everything about the city of Chicago and this organization. No matter what happens, I would hope that they'd be in the mix in the offseason when it comes to my free agency."
That alone leaves the door wide open for the Cubs, a team that isn't far away from competing for an NL Central crown (or so they hope), but could still use a few more pieces. Stroman has a player opt-out after the year and he's likely to use it to enter free agency.
Cubs trades to make: Cody Bellinger is an expiring asset
Cody Bellinger has found his groove after losing it for a few years. Bellinger, a former NL MVP, has started looking like his old self. The red-hot slugger played a major role in several wins over the New York Yankees prior to the All-Star Break.
Bellinger has received interest from several American League teams, including New York and the Houston Astros. Houston, for one, has a gaping hole at first base, a position Bellinger has played in the past. The Yankees need corner outfield help, which would be Bellinger's primary role in pinstripes.
The Cubs signed Bellinger as a bit of a flyer this season, and it's paid off big time. His contract has a mutual option for next season should he and his club choose to activate it, but that seems unlikely given he's sure to make more money on the free-agent market. Bellinger's versatility and big bat make him an attractive trade deadline commodity, and Chicago would be unwise to hold onto him unless a contract extension is in the works.
Cubs trades to make: Pull the plug on Kyle Hendricks
The Professor, as he's called in Chicago, has been with the Cubs for a long time. That makes this kind of trade all the more painful for fans to deal with.
The starting pitching market will be barren come late July. The Cubs, who could be clear sellers by then, would have the upper hand if they put both Stroman and Hendricks on the trade market. Hendricks has rebounded nicely this season, though his last few starts have been a little concerning. Should he right this ship, Hendricks has an ERA of 3.57, and a championship pedigree. That's not something many teams can offer.
Hendricks has a club option on his deal, making him even more valuable to teams looking to contend in 2023 and 2024. Whether it be prospect capital or young MLB players, the return for Hendricks and his two years of control should be immense — perhaps even rivaling that of Stroman given the contract disparity.
"I have so much respect for them," Hendricks said of the Cubs. "I've appreciated all the respect they've shown me, and all the leeway and all the opportunities they've given me. The narrative's out there. They know where we're all at. And I know where the team's at. At the end of the day, it is what it is. It's business."
Hendricks has been through this several times before. He was around when Chicago dismantled their World Series core, and this time, he could very well be dealt elsewhere. Baseball is a business, and a painful one at that.
