The Chicago Cubs Had No Business Being A Buyer

The Chicago Cubs appear to be doing the opposite of what their record says they should do. Despite the team’s disappointing season, the Cubs have foolishly decided to buy at the trade deadline. They’ve acquired Isaac Paredes and Nate Pearson from the Rays and Blue Jays respectively. While the rest of the National League has been mediocre, Chicago hasn’t even been above .500 since late May. The Cubs offense has been one of the league’s worst all season and their pitching staff has blown many leads and saves. If the Cubs somehow think they can snag a wild spot, then they are delusional.

The Cubs Have Been Disappointing

Despite the hype surrounding the team after hiring Craig Counsell, the Chicago Cubs have been a major disappointment. Their offense regressed badly this season and the team is only averaging 4.08 runs per game. The only team that is averaging fewer runs is the inept Miami Marlins. Cody Bellinger, Nico Hoerner, and Dansby Swanson all have experienced drop-offs in offensive production. In a league that is driven by the long ball, the Cubs have been almost powerless. As a team, the Cubs have only 106 home runs. The only teams who’ve hit fewer homers are the Pirates, Marlins, and Nationals.

The Cubs bullpen has been a disaster as well. While it has been better as of late, they should’ve played better earlier. For most of the season, Chicago has had a hard time holding leads and finishing games. It seems that whenever the Cubs have a lead it’s never safe. Chicago has blown 24 leads this season including six of them being in the ninth inning. The Cubs have also blown 20 saves this season as well. Their struggles are a big reason why Chicago has been bullied in one-run games this season.

Chicago Decided To Do The Unthinkable

In theory, most teams who’ve struggled this badly would want to be sellers at the deadline. The Cubs have plenty of worthwhile pieces they can deal away players like Jameson Taillon, Hector Neris, and Mark Leiter Jr. Pitching was at a premium this deadline. Heck, if done right, the Cubs could even find a way to ship out Cody Bellinger. General Manager Jed Hoyer even hinted at the Cubs most likely being sellers. However, the Cubs decided to do the unthinkable and be buyers at the trade deadline. Chicago acquired 2024 all-star Isaac Paredes from the Rays for Christopher Morel and two prospects. This move was very surprising given that the Dodgers and Yankees were rumored to be in a bidding war for Paredes. This wasn’t the only player the Cubs acquired; Chicago then traded for reliever Nate Pearson.

The Cubs Apparently Forgot They Weren’t A Playoff Contender

The Cubs’ decision to buy at the deadline is just befuddling. Heck, Nate Pearson has demonstrated over four years that he isn’t even that good. This team has been hovering around last place for most of the season. Chicago hasn’t even had a record above .500 since May 28^th. While Parades and Pearson have team control remaining, these are the types of moves playoff contenders make. The Chicago Cubs aren’t playoff contenders this season and will miss the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. The last time the Cubs made the postseason in a full year was 2018. All these moves do for Chicago now is give them a better chance of not finishing in last place.

Chicago Should’ve Sold What They Could

Whenever the trade deadline happens, teams know whether they are buying or selling. The Cubs hinted that they would be sellers, which is what most people expected. However, Chicago decided to go against common sense and be buyers at the deadline. They had no business acquiring Isaac Paredes or Nate Pearson. Pitching is at a premium this deadline and Chicago would’ve gotten someone to overpay for either Taillon, Neris, or Leiter Jr. The Cubs are not a playoff team and shouldn’t have been making moves as if they were one.

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