Cubs Trade Rumors
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Fire Sale Could Start Early In Chicago
When Theo Epstein arrived from Boston to take a position as the man to run the Chicago Cubs, he was inheriting a mess. Epstein was walking into a franchise that had problem players, no manager, expensive contracts for average players and a farm system with little depth. Epstein was like a parent coming home from vacation only to find that their teenager had threw a giant party at the house that resulted in broken windows, plants in the pool, items stolen and the liquor cabinet raided. Epstein knew that by making the decision to lead the Cubs he would need to rebuild. Part of that rebuilding process began when Carlos Zambrano, Marlon Byrd, Sean Marshall and a number of role players were shipped out of the Windy City. Now, with the trading deadline quickly approaching, Epstein will have to strongly consider moving a number of other pieces in order to create a solid foundation for long-term baseball success. Here is a look at five significant Cubs players who may be moved before the MLB trade deadline.
1. Ryan Dempster:
Dempster has been with the Cubs for years, and has been one of the team's most consistent starting pitchers. Although his win/loss record is average, Dempster has one of the better earned run averages in the entire National League. With the Cubs on a 5-year plan and many teams seeking a quality starting pitcher, Dempster appears to be the player most likely to be moved before the trade deadline.
2. Matt Garza:
Garza is another starting pitcher who will be coveted by many teams in the upcoming days before the trade deadline. A strikeout pitcher who performed well in the American League East during his time in Tampa Bay, Garza could be a quality 3rd or 4th starter for a contending team. Garza could also benefit with a change is scenery, as he is been only slightly better than average during his tenure as a Cubs player. He has great stuff and could be a game-changing acquisition for the right team.
3. Alfonso Soriano:
Remember when Soriano was the error-prone infielder who was traded from the Yankees? Remember when his power bat came alive in what is one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in all of baseball in Texas? Remember when he had that one solid season in Washington (his contract year) before he signed a nine figure contract? Soriano would certainly not be categorized as a bust in any shape or form, but he would fall into the category of "way overpaid, way under delivered". He is 36 years old (allegedly), prone to striking out, a liability on defense, a salary cap nightmare and a home run hitter. Power bats will always be in demand, but the Cubs will have to eat a portion of Soriano's salary if they want him moved.
4. Starlin Castro
Seriously? Castro is the new face of the franchise. The only place he will be moving too is a bigger house in Chicago when management decides to extend his contract until the 2019 season.
5. Carlos Marmol
Carlos "walk me" Marmol is one player that will give any manager a heart attack. He has absolutely electric stuff, and can strike out the side on any given night. He can also walk the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches only to give up the winning run on a wild pitch that bounces ten feet in front of the plate. He has shortened the life of many Cubs' fans, and unfortunately his raw talent has never fully been developed. This is why teams all across the league will certainly inquire about Marmol.
Horban is a sports writer for a GPS Tracker Shop, a vehicle management company that offers cost-effective GPS trackers to businesses and families