As the trade deadline on August 1 creeps ever-closer, the Chicago Cubs stand as one of a handful of teams that has yet to make a decision regarding whether they will be buyers or sellers this trade season. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer spoke to 670 The Score on Friday regarding the club’s plans. Hoyer asserted that “there is nothing we want more than to add” at the coming deadline, though he made clear the club was willing to pivot if buying at the deadline seemed imprudent.
The Cubs currently sit at a record of 43-48 following Saturday’s win against the Boston Red Sox, a record that will leave them seven games out of first place upon completion of the evening's game between the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. While the club’s +27 run differential is by far the best in the NL Central, Hoyer acknowledged that in order to justify Chicago as a buyer at the deadline, “We need to make up ground on first place, and we need to make up ground on .500.”
Should the Cubs fail to do so over the next two weeks, they could be poised to shop players like centerfielder Cody Bellinger and right-hander Marcus Stroman to contending clubs. Stroman, whose lack of extension talks have been well documented, told reporters (including Bruce Levine of The Score) Saturday that he does not expect an offer from the Cubs prior to the trade deadline. Even if he is traded, however, Stroman indicated he would have an interest in returning to Chicago on a new contract during the offseason. Stroman can opt out of the final year and $21M on his contract once the 2023 campaign comes to a close. He seems all but certain to do so after posting a 2.88 ERA in 118 2/3 innings across his first 20 starts of the season.
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