Ivy League Cubs

By: Jacob Zanolla

Jed Hoyer has specifically called this a retooling, trying to make sure he does not say that the Cubs are in a rebuild. However, the more rumors that come out, it really makes you start to think. 

According to Jon Heyman, Seiya Suzuki has been involved in recent trade negotiations. He’s been fantastic offensively, with a 126 wRC+ and 1.7 fWAR. Suzuki has two more full seasons on his contract, with becoming a free agent after the 2026 season. A strong bat with multiple years of control could bring back a really impressive haul, its more the question of why the Cubs would move him. If you had to choose between trading Suzuki or Happ, I’d trade Suzuki so I get it. I asked Twitter, and 58% said Suzuki, while 42 said Happ. Clearly the fans aren’t in charge, but I thought it was interesting to see who they decided they’d move first. 

Ian Happ said earlier this season that he wouldn’t wave his no-trade clause, but I still have to wonder if that would be true for every team? I doubt he’ll get moved, but it is still interesting that he’s being mentioned in trade rumors, so teams must be under the assumption there is a chance he could waive his NTC and leave Chicago.  

Next on the Friday rumor list is Cody Bellinger, who is once again connected to the New York Yankees. Bellinger was connected to the Yankees last summer, but ended up staying put due to the hot stretch that stopped Hoyer from selling. Bellinger should be coming back from the injured list very soon, hopefully before the deadline. The Yankees could use an outfield bat that can also play first, along with excellent defense. The main problem with Bellinger is his contract, which makes him close to un-tradeable. There are ways they could do it, and that’s clear by the fact he’s being mentioned in trade discussions again. However, someone like the Yankees won’t want to pay for two more years of Bellinger just for him to opt out after this season. I’d be interested in a smaller return if it gets him off the books, but keeping him wouldn’t be the worst option either. 

Mike Tauchman was one of my locks to be moved at the deadline, and Jon Morosi seems to agree. When asked which Cub he thinks is a lock to get traded, he said Mike Tauchman. Morosi mentioned Tauchman to the Yankees, along with talking about Nico Hoerner as a potential fit in the Bronx. Tauchman will get a solid return, and adding Hoerner would make it even better. If they get Tauchman, that does probably take them out of the Bellinger conversation though. 

Lastly, I was writing about Jameson Taillon having four main interested suitors when the Orioles acquired Zach Eflin for what seems to be an underpay, probably removing them from the market for Taillon. This leaves the Yankees, Red Sox, and Astros (per Chandler Rome) as teams that have publicly been connected to the Cubs right-hander. Taillon should get some good value back, especially after seeing what the Rays got for Eflin. Combine him with another player and Hoyer could really get a legit package back.

Cubs fans were told this was a “buying and selling” deadline. This may be the case, but for now, there are only rumors of who we will ship out to help contending teams. It’s frustrating, but the prospects we get back will be good at least. Hopefully?