A few more thoughts about the MLB trade deadline

We stand four days from MLB’s 2024 trade deadline. Officially, deals have to be completed by 5 p.m. CT on Tuesday, July 30, though we’ll certainly hear news of some dribble out for an hour or so after that.

Two deals have been completed as of this writing: The Marlins sent reliever A.J. Puk to the Diamondbacks for a pair of minor leaguers, and the Rays traded Randy Arozarena to the Mariners for a couple of prospects and a PTBNL. As recently as a year ago the latter deal would have been huge news, but Arozarena’s not having a good year, though he’s been hitting better lately.

Between now and Tuesday you are likely to hear many trade rumors. Believe me when I tell you that 95 percent of those are a big pile of nothing. They’re either planted by writers who want clicks and were fed information by front offices who might or might not be misleading them, or by others who think, “Well, this team really SHOULD trade this guy,” even if that’s not a realistic thing.

As I’ve previously said, I’m kind of agnostic about the Cubs at this year’s deadline. Jed Hoyer’s already said he’s not going to add any rental-type players, and with the team beginning Friday’s action 5½ games behind the last wild-card spot, that’s probably the right thing to do. Even if the Cubs win their next four games and move closer to that last postseason berth, adding such a player at a cost of prospects isn’t likely to happen.

So the question becomes: Which players would be useful to subtract from this roster, given that Hoyer has also said he intends to contend in 2025?

In my view, that’s not guys like Jameson Taillon or Nico Hoerner. Are they superstars? No, but both can help a team as solid performers.

More likely, the way I see it, is that the Cubs might deal some of the relievers they have who could be fairly easily replaced before next year. Among those: Hector Neris, Drew Smyly and Mark Leiter Jr. All three have some value (even if Neris has given us all heart failure in many ninth innings), and trading Neris has the added benefit of removing his option year from next year’s payroll. Further, the Cubs have major-league relievers about ready to come off rehab assignments (Caleb Kilian, Adbert Alzolay and Keegan Thompson) so they could replace any traded members of the bullpen fairly easily.

Mainly, I am posting this article for trade discussion purposes. In the end I think the Cubs make a minor trade or two before Tuesday, nothing more. Could be wrong, I suppose, but that’s the way I see it.

Have at it.