After fading late stretch in 2023, the Chicago Cubs look to establish themselves as a National League favorite in 2024. The core of the 2023 squad is still together, with the additions of manager Craig Counsell and Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga to offset the loss of right-hander Marcus Stroman.
The team started hot in Craig Counsell's first month, going 18-12 in April, but the team has dropped off since and found itself teetering on last plast in the NL Central. With the MLB trade deadline coming up at the end of July, here is what a perfect trade deadline looks like to get the Cubs back on track.
Acquiring closer Mason Miller from the Oakland Athletics
The Cubs would be in a very different spot this season if not for their late-inning struggles. Adbert Alzolay, the closer to begin the year, is just 4-9 in save opportunities this year, with six homers allowed in 17 innings and a walk rate that has increased from 1.8 BB/9 to 3.1 BB/9. His expected ERA of 6.58 (vs. an actual ERA of 4.67) indicates that things could have been even worse for the Venezuelan hurler. Alzolay is currently on the injured list, as is set-up man Yency Almonte and Jordan Wicks.
Hector Neris had been a strong replacement at closer for the Northsiders, going 9-11 in save chances to start the season. But he has allowed runs in three straight appearances — resulting in a pair of blown saves. New set-up man Mark Leiter Jr. has struggled and recently suffered an injury. Leiter had an 8.00 ERA in May and has allowed runs in four straight June appearances. If the Cubs truly want to be contenders in the NL Central, they must upgrade a bullpen that is 27th in save percentage, 21st in ERA, and 24th in runs allowed during the last three innings of the game.
The Cubs boosted their bullpen in May with the acquisition of Tyson Miller from the Seattle Mariners. Miller has a 1.23 ERA in 13 appearances as a Cub and has walked just three batters in 26.1 innings on the year. The right-hander helps solidify the Chicago pen, but the Cubs still need a dependable late-inning option.
Mason Miller has been electric for the Athletics so far, using his 101 miles-per-hour fastball to strike out nearly two batters per inning while converting 14 of 16 save chances. Bringing in Miller gives the Cubs a dependable closer for years to come and solidifies the Chicago bullpen.
Trade for Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman
Christopher Morel is one of the most promising young hitters in baseball. The 24-year-old leads the club with 13 homers and ranks in the 85th percentile in MLB in expected slugging percentage. Unfortunately for the Cubs, Morel is a sieve defensively at third base for a Cubs infield that has otherwise been spectacular with the glove. Morel already has eight errors at the hot corner despite playing more than 20% of Chicago's games at designated hitter. Per Baseball Savant, Morel has been worth -7 runs defensively — tied for the second worst in baseball this season.
Adding a third baseman who is adept with the glove and the bat allows Morel to move to designated hitter full time and gives the Cubs a ferocious middle of the order. One player who fits that description is Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros. Bregman is a two-time All-Star who has earned MVP votes on four occasions while knocking in at least 90 RBI in each of his last four full seasons. The Houston third baseman is also in the final year of his contract.
The Astros have yet to crack the .500 mark this season and could be looking to move Alex Bregman's expiring contract before the trade deadline — making for a perfect late-season acquisition for the Chicago Cubs.
