It’s time for MLB teams to make a decision.
With August getting closer, teams on the brink of the postseason have to decide whether it’s time to make a move for the present or for the future.
The future means a front office throws up the proverbial white flag and sells off assets to teams with different ideas. It means securing spots of need for the long-term outlook and trying again at a later date, what some would call the smart approach.
Those teams deciding to go with the present and search for upgrades have decided the core in place is good enough to compete for a title, especially if they can sell off future assets to fill a niche need.
Let’s take a look at a few notable names on the hunt for upgrades.
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians seem to have it all.
Sitting on a 56-38 mark, the biggest complaint in Cleveland might be the reliever situation. It’s likely a topic of discussion with the Milwaukee Brewers, alongside another major name.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provided the details:
Jonathan Lucroy would be the point of emphasis here.
Now 30 years old, Lucroy is in the midst of a very strong season, sitting on a .304/.361/.490 slash line, all better numbers than last year. He’s also hit 12 homers and knocked in 48 runs.
Cleveland isn’t weak at Lucroy‘s spot per se, but if his name comes up it would be silly to shrug it off. He’s in the last year of a deal, so Cleveland could perhaps get him back under contract to terms they see fit, or simply rent him for a title push.
When it comes to relief pitchers, Will Smith and Tyler Thornburg might be the names to know. The former has a 2.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 18 innings, while the latter has a 2.39 ERA with 52 strikeouts and a pair of saves over 37.2 innings. Both are 27 years old.
No matter what comes of the rumblings, it’s clear Cleveland will remain on the hunt for help. Other teams might swoop in for some of the players mentioned, but it won’t dissuade the Indians from seeking help in critical areas.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs seem like the biggest buyers at the deadline.
There’s no shock in that. The Cubs sit on a 57-37 mark but are just .500 over their last 10 games. The St. Louis Cardinals are only 6.5 games behind in the NL Central and have won seven of their last 10 outings.
It’s not panic mode by any means, but the situation helps to explain why the Cubs seem in the mix for help at the plate and on the mound.
According to Julie DiCaro of 670 The Score, though, the Cubs don’t seem poised to do a deal with the New York Yankees:
New York isn’t going to give up Andrew Miller or Aroldis Chapman for cheap. The former has appeared in 40 games and posted a silly 1.31 ERA with 70 fanned batters. The latter has pitched 29 times and posted a 2.22 ERA with 40 strikeouts.
Everybody seems to want a piece of Kyle Schwarber, the 23-year-old outfielder who hit .246/.355/.487 last year for the Cubs with 16 homers and 43 RBI. Chicago, though, seems to have drawn a line in the sand, not wanting to sell the young slugger for a reliever.
For now.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi expanded on the sort of help the Cubs might look for at the plate:
Cubs president Theo Epstein knows a thing or two about Reddick after drafting him to the Boston Red Sox back in 2006.
Epstein will understand loud and clear that Reddick‘s .300/.378/.441 slash line, six home runs and 23 RBI are frustrating numbers at best for the 29-year-old outfielder, who has only been able to appear in 60 games so far.
The problem for the Cubs? The Oakland Athletics understand how valuable Reddick is and won’t let him slip away for less than what he’s worth simply due to an injury-riddled campaign.
With Reddick another player poised to hit free agency this winter, the Cubs might find it unrealistic to give up a major haul for what could be a half-season rental, especially given the team’s stance on giving away Schwarber so far.
But that’s what makes the push to the deadline so interesting. Chicago could wind up as one of those teams who plays it conservative right up until the deadline, then swings for the proverbial fences out of nowhere.
No matter how it pans out, it’s best not to blink when it comes to the Cubs, given their impact moves or lack thereof could heavily impact the title chase.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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