The Chicago Cubs are learning quickly that nothing is going to be handed to them in this second half.
After dominating the National League Central for most of the season, the Cubs have watched the Milwaukee Brewers surge to a one-game lead not only in the division, but for the best record in baseball.
As Chicago looks to exact some revenge, they have to flex their farm system at the trade deadline. It’s better than Milwaukee’s, and it could help them land the difference-maker they need to take the edge in the division race.
Perhaps that difference-maker could come in the form of a dominant reliever.
On Thursday, Sports Illustrated’s Will Laws and Nick Selbe predicted that the Cubs would acquire Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Durán, who is under team control through 2027, in a midseason blockbuster.
“Durán has taken his game to new heights in his fourth big-league season, blowing hitters away with a four-seamer that sits 100.3 mph and a devastating knuckle curve that’s generated a 42.6% whiff rate. He’s posted a staggering 67.8% ground ball rate and has allowed just one home run,” wrote Laws and Selbe.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
“Should the Twins decide to capitalize on what is likely to be Durán’s peak value, there should be no shortage of contending teams lining up to add a game-changing closer to the back of their bullpen.”
Closer Daniel Palencia has been great for the Cubs this year, but it never hurts to have multiple arms you trust in save situations. On any given night, Chicago could save one for the ninth inning while deploying the other in the biggest at-bats of the middle/late innings.
Durán, who is still only 27, could be a staple of the Cubs’ bullpen as they try to extend their competitive window beyond 2025. It would cost them at least one Top 100 prospect, but that’s a risk worth taking.
More MLB: Yankees predicted to land two Diamondbacks stars in ‘biggest blockbuster’ of 2025
