You shouldn’t expect the Cubs to make a huge splash at the trade deadline this season, one because big deals just don’t seem plausible in this current environment and two Tom Ricketts is out of cash or some bullshit reason for not be able to “afford” to pay for better players.
Despite the recent struggles as a team overall, the Cubs are firmly in first place atop the NL Central division at 17-10. The bullpen, which started off equally as bad as it did a year ago, has bounced back nicely with promising trends from Craig Kimbrel.
Right now you have to feel good about Jeremy Jeffress, Rowan Wick, Ryan Tepera and then Casey Sadler and Kimbrel are either in your circle of trust or right outside of it. I get the apprehension with Kimbrel, but he has been good lately!
Anyway, the bullpen isn’t as big of a disaster as it was after July, but there is one glaring need, a left-handed pitcher who can get out lefties late in games. Or anyone who can get out lefties period.
Kyle Ryan came into the season as one of the trusted lefties, but his velocity dipped and he’s been hit hard. There are a few signs that Ryan is gradually improving, but right now he’s still making everyone nervous when he comes into a game.
Rex Brothers was a summer camp darling, who quickly went up in flames once the season began. The Cubs had high hopes for Brad Wieck, but he suffered a hamstring injury early in the season (and now a knee issue) and his return is doubtful as he’s currently on the 45-day injured list.
Oh, but what about Burl Carraway or Brailyn Marquez?!?!
Nope, sorry.
Speaking of lefties, the Cubs can’t hit them at all this year.
So far in 2020, the Cubs rank 22nd in MLB with an 86 wRC+ against lefties, and their combined.664 OPS against LHP is also ranked ninth worst. The Cubs just haven’t been hitting for a lot of power overall, but against lefties it’s a lot worse, as the team’s .333 slugging % vs. left-handed pitching is fifth worse in baseball.
Obviously those numbers are awful because Kris Bryant, Javier Báez and Willson Contreras, who the Cubs count on killing lefties, have all struggled big time to start the season.
One trade isn’t going to fix those issues, but it can help and you have to hope that your guys start producing to their capabilities eventually. If not, then yeah, one small trade isn’t going to save the offense.
Several of the guys who may be available aren’t the sexiest names, but they can still help. The most popular name being talked about among Cubs fans is Kevin Pillar from the Red Sox.
Pillar is essentially everything the Cubs wish Albert Almora Jr. could be, but sadly isn’t.
So far with the Red Sox, Pillar has an overall .793 OPS, but if the Cubs trade for him it would be to start him against lefties. He’s 13-for-47, with a slash line of .277/.333/.553, including three home runs and four doubles vs. LHP this year.
In his career, Pillar has a .773 OPS against lefties. That’s higher than anyone in the Cubs current outfield.
It was great that the DH finally came to the National League this year, but the Cubs haven’t taken advantage at all. It’s the collective slump of almost the entire lineup and that lack of hitting lefties.
And you know, if the Cubs don’t want to trade a prospect away for a month of a bat, they can always just sign this guy…
Just give me someone who’s an actual threat against LHP. Please!
And everyone else on the Cubs, get some hits, like some, not even asking for a ton, just some. How about more than five per game this week. Thanks.
