The Chicago Cubs are currently leading the National League Central by a game over the St. Louis Cardinals. They were considered the favorites before the season.
However, they were in the third base market last offseason and were unable to add anybody. Instead, they banked on Matt Shaw, who is now hitting .172/.294/.241 with just one home run and three RBI, as well as a .535 OPS.
According to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, the Cubs actually tried to make a deal for Cardinals slugger Nolan Arenado.
This was after they fell short in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes.
“Nolan Arenado, for example, was a player the Cubs inquired about during spring training, only to be quickly informed that the St. Louis Cardinals were not interested in trading an All-Star within the division to an historic rival.”
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It’s understandable as to why the Cardinals declined this deal. Trades within the same division, especially between archrivals, are incredibly rare.
The Cubs and Cardinals made a famous trade in 1964 that went St. Louis’ way. Chicago picked up pitcher Ernie Broglio, but gave up a future Hall-of-Famer in Lou Brock.
But Chicago was basically stuck with Shaw after Bregman signed with the Boston Red Sox. I
It’s highly unlikely St. Louis would be willing to even entertain the possibility of trading Arenado to a division rival, let alone the Cubs.
And so, the Cubs will have to go back to the drawing board at the trade deadline. It will be interesting to see who they target if Shaw doesn’t heat up.
More MLB: Cubs trade idea lands them third base upgrade in unexpected way.
