The Chicago Cubs have pitching at the top of their trade deadline wishlist, but they're adding to it as the calendar flips to July. A sudden need for more offense has surfaced and the Cubs will be exploring the trade market for a hitter.
The Athletic's Patrick Mooney addressed the elephant in the room. Matt Shaw might have a bright future, but the Cubs can't count on him offensively right now, while veteran Justin Turner has been a massive disappointment at the plate so far in 2025. Meanwhile, the bench that's rounded out by Jon Berti and Vidal Bruján has been putrid for the Cubs.
The Cubs insider revealed three names of position players fans should keep an eye on as we approach the MLB trade deadline.
Eugenio Suárez
The Cubs killer is by far the most intriguing trade candidate of the bunch. The 33-year-old slugger has been a nightmare against Cubs pitching throughout his career, but he could make Jed Hoyer's dreams come true if the Arizona Diamondbacks decide to sell off at the deadline.
Suárez is having a monster year at the plate, crushing 25 home runs through 81 games. The right-handed hitter is slashing .257/.325/.564, with a 141 wRC+ in 332 plate appearances. Suárez is the ideal trade candidate for the Cubs this summer because he'd easily be a major upgrade on offense at third base and it's not like his addition means the team is quitting on Shaw because the slugger is a pure rental.
After the 2025 season, Suárez will be a free agent. That fact alone could also minimize the size of a trade package that the Cubs would need to send to Arizona for him. He'd also help improve the lineup against left-handed pitching, which has become an issue for the Cubs in June. Suárez has a career 125 wRC+ against lefties.
Taylor Ward
This was an interesting name to see from Mooney as Taylor Ward would seem like the prime target of a team trying to get an every-day corner outfielder/DH. The Cubs have Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker across the outfielder with Seiya Suzuki filling in from time-to-time while also serving as the regular DH.
Ward is under team control through 2026 via arbitration, and he's having a solid power season with the Los Angeles Angels. The right-handed hitter has 20 home runs with a 110 wRC+ and has crushed lefties similar to Suárez, recording a 124 wRC+ against them over eight MLB seasons.
But does Ward fit on the Cubs? Sure, Ward would be an upgrade on the bench, but even if he's replacing Turner, how often would he actually play? The 31-year-old has played some games third base, 42 career starts at the hot corner, but he hasn't manned the position since 2022.
Ryan McMahon
Do the Cubs really need another third baseman who can't really hit? Ryan McMahon has been a popular name in Cubs trade rumors this year and he's connected to them again this week. The left-handed hitter is slashing .222/.322/.394, so far in 2025 with the Colorado Rockies. Away from Coors Field, McMahon only has a 61 wRC+ in 180 plate appearances with a 37.2 K% this year and for his career he's only posted a .664 OPS away from Colorado.
The bigger problem with McMahon is his contract. The 30-year-old is still owed another $32 million through 2027, plus the left over amount on his $12 million salary for this year.
That brings us to another odd fit for the Cubs.
Ke'Bryan Hayes
A few days ago Francys Romero surprised Cubs fans with his report about Pittsburgh Pirates' third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes. According to Romero, the Cubs are among the potential suitors for Hayes.
Like McMahon, Hayes has been great on defense, doesn't produce much on offense and is also owed a decent chunk of money for several more years. The 28-year-old has a 68 wRC+ this year and for his career it's at 87.
Hayes signed an extension early on with the Pirates and it runs through 2029, including a club option for 2030. The right-handed hitting third baseman is guaranteed to earn $36 million from 2026-29.
Not sure it makes any sense to pay a glove-first infielder that money, especially when Shaw is already performing above expectations on defense and the need is to upgrade the offense.
Looking at these options it's clear what the best-case scenario would be. It's Eugenio Suárez.
