The Chicago Cubs find themselves in an unusual position as they approach the All-Star break. Sitting just 3.0 games out of the third Wild Card spot, there’s a strong likelihood they will become active buyers at the trade deadline.
Should they pursue this path, the Cubs have identified several key areas needing improvement: bullpen reinforcements, a catcher, and an impactful bat are among their priorities. While they may not resolve all these issues, addressing even a few would be considered a successful deadline for them.
Although the Cubs haven’t convincingly shown they deserve to be buyers, their fanbase supports the decision to give the team a chance to compete. While they may not match the talent of some other teams in the league, there’s optimism that filling critical gaps could enable this squad to make a push.
Reports suggest the Cubs have expressed interest in upgrading at catcher, notably targeting Danny Jansen of the Toronto Blue Jays, who are expected to sell at the deadline. Zachary Rotman of FanSided proposed a trade package that Cubs should strongly consider.
Rotman’s suggested deal would send Brandon Birdsell, the Cubs’ 20th-ranked prospect as per MLB Pipeline, to Toronto in exchange for Jansen.
“In this hypothetical trade, the Cubs would send Brandon Birdsell north of the border. Birdsell has performed well for AA Tennessee, with a 3.63 ERA in 15 appearances (14 starts) covering 74.1 innings…
“Jansen brings value as an above-average hitter at the catcher position, although being a rental player limits the potential return for the Blue Jays. Birdsell’s projected ceiling likely caps him as a back-end starter in MLB, which seems fair in a trade for a rental catcher.”
Securing an above-average catcher has proven challenging for Chicago this season. Despite Jansen’s current performance dip, his addition would be welcomed. He currently holds a slash line of .223/.319/.397 with six home runs, 13 doubles, and an OPS+ of 103 across 179 at-bats. While his OPS+ is down from previous years, his strong showings in 2022 and 2023 offer hope for a return to form. Jansen’s impending free agency adds a layer of consideration, but if the acquisition costs only Birdsell, pursuing Jansen appears a prudent move for the Cubs.
