Chicago Cubs fans have the feeling that this season may turn into the 2016 season all over again.
Chicago sits in first place in the NL Central, off to its best start since 2016, when the Cubs eventually won the World Series.
Despite the outstanding start, Chicago still has a few holes in its roster that will need to be addressed at the trade deadline. Team president Jed Hoyer has hinted that the Cubs will be focused on pitching help at the trade deadline.
If that is indeed the route Chicago’s front office takes, here are three potential trade deadline targets.
Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox
Chapman was a member of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series team and his addition to the backend of the bullpen would be more than welcome.
At 37 years old, Chapman’s 99.1 mph average fastball velocity ranks in the 98th percentile, making him still one of the game’s best late-inning relievers.
His 11 saves and 37 strikeouts across 27 1/3 innings pitched is eye-opening and he would give the Cubs a much-needed high velocity left-handed pitcher in the bullpen.
Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves
Sale is not a name that would’ve been thought of at the beginning of the season, but he has now become an intriguing option due to the struggles from the Atlanta Braves.
After a shaky start to the season, Sale has bounced back and has a 2.79 ERA with 107 strikeouts across 80 2/3 innings pitched.
According to Baseball Savant, Sale ranks in the 94th percentile in chase rate at 34.5% and the 92nd percentile in strikeout rate at 31.7%.
Chicago’s pitching staff has the seventh-fewest number of strikeouts, so the punchout ability and stuff that Sale has would be an excellent addition.
Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins
Prior to the season, Alcantara was expected to be one of the most highly coveted trade targets, but a horrendous first half of the season may have changed that.
He is 2-7 with a 7.89 ERA and just 44 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched. What many hoped to be a promising return from injury has very quickly gone sideways.
A change of scenery could make all the difference in the world for Alcantara and going from an uncompetitive Marlins team to a World Series contending Cubs team could get him back on track and looking like the pitcher he was two seasons ago when he was awarded the NL Cy Young.
