Dylan Bundy, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs. (Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports)
The Chicago Cubs need to make the right deal ahead of the 2021 MLB trade deadline.
While the Chicago Cubs are on fire right now, they can get even better if they make the right trade heading into the MLB trade deadline. And as the old saying goes, some of the best trades are the ones you don’t make. So who should the Cubs be trying to trade for and who should they be avoiding?
Chicago enters its series opener at the New York Mets on Monday night at 38-27 on the year. While this is the third-best record in the National League, Chicago is tied with the division rival Milwaukee Brewers in the tight NL Central standings. Though the Cubs are looking to be buyers at the deadline, financial issues may have them heading towards a rebuild after this season ends.
This is why it is so important for the front office to make the right trades heading into the deadline, ones that will improve the roster now but will not jeopardize their long-term future.
Chicago Cubs: 1 trade to make, 1 to avoid ahead of the MLB trade deadline
Trade for right-hander Dylan Bundy to bolster rotation depth
No, this is not the sexy move Cubs fans would want to see heading into the trade deadline, but dealing for Los Angeles Angels starter Dylan Bundy is a potential low-risk, high-reward acquisition for the team. Bundy has never played for a winning organization before, and while he is only 1-6 on the season in Anaheim, he could be reenergized by coming over to play for a winner.
Once again, the Angels are going nowhere. They have not made the postseason in going on a decade, and they are almost certainly not reaching them this October. At one time, Bundy was the top pitching prospect in the Baltimore Orioles organization. Now he is an underrated potential trade piece a team like the Cubs could get behind to help round out their starting rotation.
Bundy can come in every fifth day to give the Cubs innings to help save their bullpen. He has made at least 28 starts every year since 2017 with the exception of the 2020 60-game, coronavirus-shortened season. The biggest reason the Cubs should consider trading for him is the lowly Angels will not command an arm and a leg when it comes to top prospects for the soon-to-be free agent.
And as much as Cubs fans may want it, Chicago needs to avoid making this other notable trade.