PHILADELPHIA, PA – May 20: Michael Fulmer #32 of the Chicago Cubs in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during of a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 20, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
If the Chicago Cubs don’t get their act together, expect these four players to hit the trade block and these teams to get involved in the action.
The Chicago Cubs players have been warned. Team president Jed Hoyer took responsibility while also sending out a message about what may be next for the ball club if things don’t turn around fast.
The Cubs sold off numerous pieces last summer. They also held onto Willson Contreras only to lose him to the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason. Ian Happ won’t be talked about much in any rumors thanks to a contract extension. What about everyone else?
Contending vultures may already be circling Wrigley Field hoping to pull apart this roster at the trade deadline. These four should be traded. These teams should be the ones to land them.
1) Cubs trade candidate Michael Fulmer: Texas Rangers
Why the Texas Rangers? There are actually a lot of teams who could use a project like Michael Fulmer on their roster. His start to the season hasn’t been very good. Through 20 innings he’s 0-3 with a 7.20 ERA.
As bad as this is, Fulmer did build enough goodwill in past years for someone to take a chance on him. A one-year deal worth only $4 million isn’t awful enough to pass on him as a cheap and brief reclamation project.
For as well as the Rangers have played, the bullpen hasn’t been particularly strong. They came into play Wednesday with the 27th best ERA in MLB. If there’s one weakness of theirs right now, it’s the bullpen.
Texas shouldn’t expect Fulmer to rectify those issues. For a low-level minor leaguer, he’s worth the gamble. They could always DFA him first if things didn’t turn around. Of course, with how badly Fulmer has already pitched, he could become available well before the trade deadline even arrives.
A fun alternative might be the New York Mets. They have the need in the bullpen and the cash flow to overcome mistakes. Traded back in 2015 for Yoenis Cespedes, there’s a certain poetry for him returning.