The Chicago Cubs had been 44-28 earlier than Tuesday’s sport towards the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs have held a large lead within the Nationwide League Central division for many of the season after a scorching begin to the season.
With the commerce deadline looming, Chicago is beneath strain to make vital upgrades as they appear to contend. The Arizona Diamondbacks have come up because the premier commerce associate for the Cubs. The newest rumors say that they’ve curiosity in bringing in Zac Gallen to anchor their beginning rotation.
Arizona’s commerce deadline plans are nonetheless unknown, however the staff has been close to the underside of the NL West for many of the season. A number of Diamondbacks have been put into hypothetical trades, particularly Josh Naylor.
The entrance workplace remains to be deciding whether or not or to not transfer on from their expiring contracts or add items to attempt to contend. The Cubs, for one, hope they select to deal with the long run. Their beginning rotation is the one actual weak spot on the roster. Shedding Justin Steele to a season-ending damage hurts, however Shota Imanaga is near his return from Chicago’s injured checklist. Including Gallen would give them one other succesful starter.
The commerce targets for the Cubs are straightforward to determine. Nevertheless, Gallen is on an expiring deal, making his worth powerful to gauge.
If Chicago had been to commerce for the 29-year-old, he would are available in as a half-season rental. Nevertheless, if the Cubs go on a deep postseason run, they might signal him to a long-term contract this winter. Chicago has the expendable gamers to supply the Diamondbacks a sexy package deal, that includes two gamers that would assist them each now and later.
We got here up with a hypothetical deal for either side.
Diamondbacks obtain: C Miguel Amaya, 1B/OF/3B Jonathan Lengthy
Cubs obtain: SP Zac Gallen
Why ought to the Cubs make this deal?
The Cubs’ offense is among the many finest in Main League Baseball. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker give Chicago two reliable MVP candidates. These two, together with Seiya Suzuki, are one of the crucial feared string of hitters the league has to supply.
Whereas their offense has been nice, their pitching leaves lots to be desired. Steele’s damage compelled Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon to step up. Imanaga’s points has robbed Chicago of top-of-the-line pitchers within the league this season. With out him, the Cubs’ ERA skyrockets.
Gallen’s numbers aren’t enticing, however he’s able to turning issues round in a giant manner. He gained at the very least 12 video games in every of the final three seasons, incomes All-Star honors in 2023.
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A change of surroundings could possibly be all Gallen must recapture his dominant kind. If a transition to Wrigley Subject unlocks his potential, he provides Craig Counsell two succesful pitchers he can begin in Sport 1 of a playoff collection. At this level within the season, each transfer Chicago makes is made with a championship in thoughts.
Miguel Amaya made waves when he joined the Cubs in 2023. His numbers have slowly improved in annually since, however he nonetheless sits behind Carson Kelly on Counsell’s depth chart. Lengthy, then again, remains to be in Triple-A Iowa, batting .323 in 64 video games.
Kelly is taking part in too effectively this season for Amaya to get constant plate appearances. At this level, he and Chicago’s prospects imply extra to the Cubs as commerce chips as contributors within the main leagues.
Why ought to the Diamondbacks make this deal?
The Diamondbacks’ rotation was elite heading into the season. Nevertheless, a season-ending damage for Corbin Burnes robbed Arizona of their offseason addition. The inconsistency on the mound has severely held them again all season lengthy.
Gallen’s efficiency this season has underwhelmed. After serving because the Diamondbacks’ ace over the past two seasons, the seven-year professional has an ERA of 5.19 to go along with a 4-8 report earlier than his subsequent begin on Friday.
His play this season and his expiring contract makes him an fascinating participant to observe over the following month. If the Cubs win huge this postseason, they might persuade him to remain at a quantity that works. Nevertheless, Chicago has sufficient on their plate with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s extension talks.
Amaya in all probability will not begin behind the plate, however he and Gabriel Moreno might cut up duties at catcher and DH. Lengthy, then again, might see time within the outfield within the second half of the season.
The Diamondbacks made it to the World Sequence in 2023. This 12 months, Arizona has struggled mightily in a much-improved division. The choice on whether or not or to not commerce Gallen comes right down to what their long-term plans are.
Bringing in Amaya and Lengthy provides them choices transferring ahead. Gallen’s contract makes him a participant to observe for each contender that wants one other starter this season.