By Ken Rosenthal and Patrick Mooney
The Chicago Cubs anticipate a number of pitchers will return from the injured list in the final two months, starting with right-hander Edward Cabrera and closer Daniel Palencia. But they’ve dealt with so many pitching ailments this season, they are taking no chances.
Ideally, the Cubs want to add three pitchers before Monday’s deadline, according to a person briefed on their thinking – two starters and a reliever or two relievers and a starter. All that might not be possible, but the supply of both rotation and bullpen options is plentiful, creating numerous possibilities.
The supply of catchers and right-handed hitters, on the other hand, is minimal, creating the potential for interest in catcher Carson Kelly and right fielder Seiya Suzuki.
Both, however, are highly unlikely to be dealt, a source said.
Suzuki, the Cubs’ No. 2 hitter, is probably too valuable to move. The Cubs might have envisioned a Michael Conforto–Matt Shaw platoon in right without him, but Shaw has been on the injured list since June 29 with a sprained left wrist.
Kelly, too, is part of the Cubs’ fabric, and trading him would affect the Cubs’ pitching staff and clubhouse morale. The only way the Cubs would consider it is if a team bowled them over with an overwhelming offer, which is not out of the question.
The demand for catching is intense, and Colorado’s Hunter Goodman, Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers and Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman are all longshots to be dealt. And if the Cubs traded Kelly, they would need to find another catcher, too.
