Should the Cubs pursue a rental or a multi-year pitcher at trade deadline?

The Chicago Cubs are currently 49-34 and have a two-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central.

The scuffling Cubs are below .500 in June and have dropped six of their last 10 games. Pitching has become a growing concern in Chicago outside of Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd.

Jameson Taillon has had a solid campaign, but his last two starts have been rough. Rookie Cade Horton got shelled in Houston on Friday and showed growing pains. Colin Rea had a great start to the season but has been shaky since May.

The Cubs are expected to aggressively seek starting pitching upgrades at the trade deadline, but will they go after a rental or a pitcher with multiple years of control?

If the Cubs are focused on this season alone, they may pursue a rental like Zach Eflin, Andrew Heaney or German Marquez. If the Cubs are focused on this season and beyond, going after Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera or Mitch Keller makes sense.

Jim Riley of BALLCAP Sports dove into several rentals and multi-year pitchers to figure out the best course of action for the Cubs.

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Riley looked at the projected trade values of each player and discussed why they would or wouldn’t be a fit for the Cubs.

Riley put together trade proposals for three pitchers, Alcantara, Eflin and Marquez, that make the most sense for the Cubs:

The Cubs receive Alcantara from the Miami Marlins for Jefferson Rojas (Cubs No. 4), Juan Tomas (Cubs No. 10) and Alex Hernandez.

The Cubs receive Marquez from the Colorado Rockies for Angel Cepeda (Cubs No. 15) and Drew Gray (Cubs No. 27).

The Cubs receive Eflin from the Baltimore Orioles for Ty Southisene (Cubs No. 29).

Riley thinks the best route for the Cubs is trading for Eflin, despite three tough starts to end June. This move gives the Cubs a solid pitcher with postseason experience, but it isn’t the sexiest option.

The Cubs would be better off trading for Alcantara; even if he doesn’t have his best stuff this year, the years of control are intriguing and worth the trade package.

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