(Creative Commons/timparkinson)
The Chicago Cubs dismal play has repositioned them from potential buyers to probable sellers before the upcoming trade deadline. I’m fine with that. Actually, I wish they could jettison the whole team, but there’s a problem. It reminds of a line from the classic movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
When Butch and Sundance arrive in Bolivia, Sundance is less than impressed. Butch tries to cheer Sundance up by telling him that your money probably goes a lot further in Bolivia. And Sundance has a classic response.
“What could they have here that you could possibly want to buy?“
So, what do the Cubs have that anybody would want?
At this point, I would think that almost anybody on the team would be expendable, but unfortunately for the Cubs some of their high salary guys have no trade contracts. Included in that group are Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ. All of them are underperforming their contracts. So, they will probably stay in Chicago by virtue of their contract, coupled with a lack of performance, and a lack of interest on the part of other teams.
Cody Bellinger anyone?
Bellinger carried the team for a good bit of last season. This year he has been decidedly underwhelming. I’ve seen enough. If the Cubs can find a taker (Yankees) ship him off. Regardless of what the Cubs get back, at least he won’t be blocking a slot for somebody else.
Would somebody please take the Cubs’ bench players?
For some reason, Craig Counsell has decided that Patrick Wisdom is a late inning weapon off the bench. Either trade Wisdom or stage an intervention and place Counsell in a 12-step program. Miles Mastrobuono falls into the same category.
Here’s the foundation
Winless Justin Steele is a keeper. Ben Brown and Shota Imanaga possibly fall into that category. While the Cubs farm system has been highly touted, it’s like the bitcoin of MLB currency. Extremely unpredictable. But it seems to be Jed Hoyer’s pride and joy. Possibly because his big-league team spews chunks.
So far, PCA is exciting, but a woefully weak hitter. Miguel Amaya has been a disaster behind the plate. Is that a preview of things to come?
