Chicago Players Most Likely to Be Moved At Trade Deadline

If they Chicago Cubs don't see a stark turnaround, they could be sellers at the MLB trade deadline. Which players are on the block?

Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has issued a warning. There is pressure on him and manager David Ross to fix things in real time. The Cubs didn't expect to have their season hanging on by a thread before Memorial Day weekend.

Yet here they are, below .500 with a 22-26 record.

This is not just an overdramatic mind: Chicago spent over $300 million signing free agents this winter. 

They're trying to produce more power pitchers and boost hitters' production by revamping their scouting and player development system.

Before the doom and gloom, they started the season 14-10, enough to raise expectations. But then they lost 16 of the next 23 games, an issue that must be rectified if they wish to be seen as "buyers" rather than "sellers" at the MLB trade deadline in July.  

If Chicago does become sellers, then four names could be on the chopping block.

Marcus Stroman, Starting Pitcher

A good question would be who wouldn't be vying for a chance to snap up right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman? He's easily been one of the better pitchers in the National League this season, overcoming some struggles over the last two seasons.

Wednesday night against the New York Mets was a display of why he would be a great addition to any starting rotation. Stroman had his former club in the palm of his hand at Wrigley Field. His sinker helped get him through five of his eight innings on 10 or fewer pitches. Stroman stuck with it 53 times out of 88 total pitches thrown.

Despite preliminary reports of extension talks with the Opening Day starter a few weeks ago, it's likely that the 32-year-old will trade in his uniform. There are a lot of clubs that could use a seasoned veteran. The Philadelphia Phillies come to mind as do the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

There's one small detail that might be an issue for Chicago in moving him. Stroman has an opt out of his contract after this season that he will likely use. This limits what the Cubs could potentially get back. 

Regardless, he'd still bring a huge haul.

Cody Bellinger, Center Fielder

A slightly surprising move would be trading away centerfielder Cody Bellinger. He has a one-year, $17.5 million contract. Now a caveat, if the Cubs can get themselves back to .500 by the deadline, Bellinger might have enough of a case to stay.

The 27-year-old is slashing .271/.337/.493 with seven home runs and 20 RBI after 37 games played. Currently, Bellinger has been out since May 16. He tweaked his knee after making a leaping catch at the wall in right-center field against the Houston Astros.

Chicago wasn't exactly forthcoming about the extent of his injury and Ross announced that the left-hitting outfielder is on the injured list. Now he is eligible to return from his knee contusion injury as the Cubs play the Cincinnati Reds at home 

Injury aside, Bellinger can still hit. When he was with Los Angeles Dodgers, he was named to the All-Star Team, won the National League Most Valuable Player, and was named to the All-Major League Baseball Team in 2019.

His value has returned, as has the trust in his ability to be a consequential major-league hitter. 

Michael Fulmer, Relief Pitcher

Right-hander Michael Fulmer has not had a great start to the season, as seen in the above stat. That's through 20 games. He cares a lot about the team and performing for this organization, but that doesn't help win games. 

Trading him is going to be the right move for the Cubs. He's built enough goodwill in past years for someone to take a chance on him. A one-year deal worth only $4 million isn’t enough to pass on him as a cheap and brief reclamation project.

Of course, with how volatile Fulmer has been, he could become available well before the trade deadline even arrives. He's a low-risk, low-medium reward pitcher. 

Kyle Hendricks, Starting Pitcher

Right-hander Kyle Hendricks is finally coming off the injured list for the Cubs. He's starting Thursday's game against the Mets. This will be his first Major League appearance in over a year. 

Hendricks last mound appearance was on July 5, 2022 when he was placed on the injured list with a shoulder strain. Then came the news that the 33-year-old's diagnosis with a capsular tear.

He's as reliable as they come in Chicago's organization. From 2014 to 2020, he logged over a thousand innings with a 3.12 ERA. But in 2021 and 2022, Kendricks had a combined 4.78 ERA. 

He and the club signed a four-year $55.5 million extension going into 2019, with 2023 being the final guaranteed season. Chicago has a $16 million club option for 2024 with a $1.5 million buyout.

He's a prime candidate to trade.

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