CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 16: Marcus Stroman of the Chicago Cubs pitches in a game against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field on September 16, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs could be big sellers at the trade deadline this year if things start out slowly for them in the season.
The Chicago Cubs have made a lot of moves this offseason in an effort to improve in 2023. Many of them are on short-term deals, though. However, at least on paper, it is evident that they are not as good as their division rivals the Milwaukee Brewers or, especially, the St. Louis Cardinals, who signed former Cubs catcher Willson Contreras to a big free agent deal this offseason.
As a result, the Cubs could look to trade a few players in the first half of the season if the Cubs start off poorly.
Here are five Chicago Cubs players that could be on the trade block this season.
Cubs that could be on the trade block: Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman
Marcus Stroman is the best starting pitcher that the Cubs have. Last season, he made 25 starts with an ERA of 3.50, an ERA+ of 117, a 1.147 WHIP, and an average of 2.3 walks and 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Cubs just signed him in the 2021-2022 offseason but he only signed a two-year deal with a player option for 2024 so if he decides not to exercise that option, he is a free agent at the end of the season.
The Cubs should look to try and extend him for a few more years (he’ll be 32 in May) but if they can’t, there will be 10-12 teams looking for a starting pitcher and Stroman would slot well in most rotations.