The Chicago Cubs are in an interesting position deciding whether to be buyers or sellers at the MLB trade deadline, but there are some players that are clearly on their radar if the team decides to add a talented player.
The Cubs lost both games of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday and enter Sunday’s game 4.5 games out of the third wild card spot in the National League.
Even after the loss, the Cubs could still be looking to make a acquisition before the trade deadline, and according to Bob Nightingale of USA Today, the Cubs have “expressed interest” in acquiring Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen.
The catcher has appeared in 56 games for the Blue Jays this season, totaling six home runs and 17 RBIs in 207 at-bats. Per Baseball-Reference, he is batting .223/.319/.397 with a 103 OPS+ and 1.2 WAR this season with Toronto.
Jansen is in the final year of his contract with the Blue Jays and will make $5.2 million this season, and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season, according to Spotrac.
The Cubs have struggled offensively at catcher this season, with Yan Gomes being named designated for assignment earlier this year due to his struggles at the plate.
Miguel Amaya, despite hitting a home run Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals, is batting .201/.266/.288 with three homers and 18 RBIs this season, while Tomas Nido is batting .135 with 37 hits in 37 at-bats for the Cubs since being acquired on waivers earlier this season.
Nightengale reported that Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz is also a possible acquisition at the deadline. Diaz is batting .286/.330/.403 with five homers and 30 RBIs in 248 at-bats this season for the Rockies.
The MLB trade deadline is July 30th.
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