Cubs trade idea for Royals’ $51 million All-Star starter is smart for 2 reasons originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Cubs have a chance to make a big trade at the deadline.
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Or would they prefer to make multiple deals that have a greater impact on the club’s postseason outlook?
Either way, Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ president of baseball operations, has his work cut out for him with the starting rotation.
Injuries have derailed Chicago’s top arms. Cade Horton (out for the year), Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, Matthew Boyd, Ben Brown and Jameson Taillon have all spent time on the IL.
That’s why Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller listed the Cubs as a potential landing spot for All-Star starter Michael Wacha from the Kansas City Royals.
“One big difference has been his ability to work deep into starts,” Miller wrote about Wacha. “Wacha is on pace for roughly 200 innings pitched and 20 quality starts. Both would be career-best marks for the 14-year veteran.”
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The Cubs need length out of their starters to help lessen the workload of a taxed bullpen. Wacha can help.
“Since turning 30, Michael Wacha has been nothing if not consistent,” Miller added. “He is working on his fifth consecutive season with an ERA between 3.22-3.86 and a WHIP between 1.11-1.22.”
MORE: How Jordan Walker overcame the bust label
Consistency can help the Cubs down the stretch and into the postseason.
Wacha’s playoff numbers may not be the best, but at least he has 46.2 innings of experience.
The Royals’ asking price may be high, but the Cubs should at least entertain the idea of adding the reliable veteran.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source sports.yahoo.com ’
