It is fairly easy to think and say teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets will be playing October baseball this season.
That leaves two spots remaining, with one of those being the spot for the NL Central division winner. As it stands, the Chicago Cubs are the division leader.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Gage Workman #25, Kyle Tucker #30 and Justin Turner #3 of the Chicago Cubs celebrate after shutting out the Los Angeles Dodgers, 16-0, at Dodger Stadium on April 12,…
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Gage Workman #25, Kyle Tucker #30 and Justin Turner #3 of the Chicago Cubs celebrate after shutting out the Los Angeles Dodgers, 16-0, at Dodger Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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However, Chicago has shown its weaknesses during the first two weeks of this season, and it is clear that the team will need to upgrade if it has hopes of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2020.
Here are four trades that the Cubs could make to improve their chances of reaching contender status in the National League.
Nolan Arenado, 3B – St. Louis Cardinals: It was evident in the offseason that Chicago was in the market for a third baseman, as it was in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes until the very end.
Arenado will most likely be traded at the trade deadline and with Cubs rookie third baseman Matt Shaw struggling to get going, a trade between the division rivals for Arenado could benefit Chicago greatly and allow Shaw to take a backseat to one of the game’s greatest third basemen of all-time.
Rafael Devers, DH/3B – Boston Red Sox: While this one is a little far-fetched, it is well known that Devers grew extremely frustrated with the Red Sox during the Bregman sweepstakes.
It is a hefty contract to take on and it is unlikely Boston would ever think about trading Devers, but it couldn’t hurt to make a call to the Red Sox and see what it would take to get one of the game’s best hitters to Wrigley Field.
Jhoan Duran, CL – Minnesota Twins: To put it bluntly, the Cubs bullpen is awful. The bullpen allowed eight runs in just 2 2/3 innings in Monday’s 10-4 loss to the Padres and it is clear that they are in need of major upgrades.
Duran is on a Twins team that is off to a 5-12 start and could look to move pieces at the deadline if the struggles continue. Duran could give Chicago the flame-throwing closer it has so desperately needed since the departure of Aroldis Chapman in 2017.
Sandy Alcántara, SP – Miami Marlins: Alcántara will be the most targeted player at the trade deadline in August and the Cubs will almost certainly be one of the teams on the phone.
With left-hander Justin Steele being out for the season, the Cubs could be in the market for another front of the line starter and Alcántara certainly fits that bill. A 1-2 punch of Alcántara and Shota Imanaga in a playoff series would be scary for any opposing team.
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