Could Chicago Cubs Be Trade Deadline 'Tailors?'

The Chicago Cubs are one of a number of teams that may need to remain flexible on their approach to the trade deadline.

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

How does the term Chicago Cubs trade deadline ‘tailors’ strike you?

That’s how The Athletic termed what the Cubs might do at the MLB Trade Deadline on Aug. 1. The site attempted to tier every MLB team based on factors like current record, needs and competitiveness in trying to assess what each team would do.

The Cubs ended up being evaluated as tailors, as in the Cubs may tailor their approach based on where they are in a few weeks. It could mean the Cubs trade a lot of players away, trade a few players away or even trade for players that could help them make a push for the National League Central title.

Per The Athletic:

On one hand, the Cubs are piping hot and the only team in their division that has, ya know, scored more than it has been scored upon. On the other, they are exceedingly average in the standings and in most statistical categories.

The NL Central is the definition of mediocre. Four of the division’s five teams are within a half-dozen games of each other. Yes, the Cubs do have a solid run differential — more than 30 runs scored against given up — and the rest of the division is underwater in that department.

But the Cubs are under-.500 and as well as they’ve played in the past 10 games, both the front-running Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers have a better record in the last 10 games than Chicago.

It all leads one to believe that the Cubs will have to take an approach that fits where they are in a few weeks. That could mean moving a number of players like pitchers Marcus Stroman and Drew Smyly, outfielder Cody Bellinger or infielder Trey Mancini.

Or, it could mean going and getting a difference-maker. Only the tailor will know for sure. 

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