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.
2) Cubs trade candidate Marcus Stroman: Arizona Diamondbacks
Who wouldn't want Marcus Stroman? Through 10 starts he's 3-4 with a 3.05 ERA. He has been one of the better pitchers in the National League over the last three seasons despite not having a winning record now or in either of the last two years. Any team looking to contend should have him on their radar. There is one important item to note about him.
Stroman has an opt out of his contract after this season we'd expect him to use. This limits what the Cubs could potentially get back. Given this, he might not be quite as popular as he would otherwise. A team with a will to extend him immediately should be the target. What about the Arizona Diamondbacks?
Somewhat surprising contenders although many of us saw this coming, the Diamondbacks are one of the few teams in baseball right now with a desperate need for a starting pitcher. It doesn't even have to be of Stroman's caliber. Beyond Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, there isn't much in the rotation. Stroman is the kind of piece they should look to acquire as long as the Cubs play fairly and acknowledge he might be just a rental.
The Toronto Blue Jays would be one fun landing spot but how about the Tampa Bay Rays? They're not usually in the market to acquire pitchers with a $25 million salary. It might be fun to imagine him helping to lead a Rays team to victory. No matter how hard we wish it into existence, it's probably not going to happen. They're far more likely to claim Fulmer off of waivers and turn him into the best closer in baseball.
3) Cubs trade candidate Yan Gomes: New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are pretty much punting at the catcher spot when it comes to offense. Whether it's Jose Trevino, Kyle Higashioka, or Ben Rotvedt behind the plate and in the lineup, we can expect a nicely called game and an 0 four 4 night on offense.
A nice change for the Yankees could be to add Cubs catcher Yan Gomes. He can play well on both sides. Hitting .292/.311/.490 with 6 home runs and 19 RBI this year in his first 103 plate appearances, he's far more than an automatic out.
The Yankees aren't in any desperate need for a catcher upgrade. If they felt that was something the organization needed, they would've added him in the offense. But with how much other members of the offense have struggled, wouldn't it be nice to get some sort of production from the catcher spot? Gomes isn't repeating the errors of Gary Sanchez all over again. He has been a steady backstop for years. Somewhat forgotten, he was behind the plate for the Washington Nationals in their 2019 World Series run
The fun alternative option for Gomes is the least likely to happen. With the St. Louis Cardinals having already shown they have doubts about Willson Contreras behind the plate, what if we see a trade between these two rivals? The anarchy would be amazing.
4) Cubs trade candidate Trey Mancini: Los Angeles Angels
Are there really that many good trade destinations for Trey Mancini? There's a reason why he took forever to sign this offseason. There isn't much of a demand for him. Sure, he's been okay for the Cubs this year. Considering they have Matt Mervis and could always plug several other players in at the position, trading Mancini is a must for the Cubs already.
Put all of the names of teams that could use a first base upgrade into a hat and pick one out. Written on the piece of paper we see the Los Angeles Angels.
Everyone without a rooting interest in the Angels is hoping to see them fall only for talks of Shohei Ohtani trade rumors later this summer. Until then, they're in buy mode. Mancini wouldn't be such a bad purchase for a team with no clear answer at first base.
This year's Angels have used Brandon Drury, Gio Urshela, and Jake Lamb most frequently at the position. They have Jared Walsh back from the IL but after a weak performance out of him in 2022 following an All-Star selection in 2021 should force them to look elsewhere.
Mancini isn't the kind of big splash some fans would want to see yet he fits in with how flexible their roster is. The three players aside from Walsh playing first base most aren't really first basemen. Mancini, also capable of playing the corner outfield, could serve a similar role. It shouldn't even cost them a whole lot.
The fun selection for a Mancini trade destination? Send him back to the Houston Astros. Yes, it worked out poorly for both sides in 2022. To the surprise of everyone, he'd be an upgrade over Jose Abreu. Cubs fans should be glad he didn't land on the Northside.