AP Photo/Noah K. Murray

The Rundown: Post-ASG Cubs Among MLB Best, PCA Named First-Half MVP, Trade Rumors Running Rampant

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJuly 18, 2025

“I said it before and I’ll say it again while others pretend, ‘I need you now and I’ll need you then…'” – Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain & Tennille

Sometimes it’s nice just to be a Cubs fan. Over the last year or so my cynicism toward Jed Hoyer’s front office eroded my love affair with Chicago’s North Side Baseballers. Social media doesn’t help because a good portion of Cubs Nation tends to jump ship at the slightest hint of adversity, and in a sport where individual success usually means failing 70% of the time, that’s some substantial hardship. As a writer, I felt like I was drowning from having to frequently backstroke upstream. In other words, I was burned out.

I needed a break, but now I’m back, feeling creative once again, and ready to sit on the throne of baseball blogging’s greatest news wraparound (trumpets please), your daily Rundown. I know it’s the best because during my hiatus, I’ve been an avid reader of everything else that’s out there, and a lot of it’s awful. In full disclosure, I haven’t even looked at Cubs Insider — which is the best Cubs site for my money — until I read Evan’s article about Ryne Sandberg. I didn’t want to miss this space until I was ready to come back, and besides, Forge of Empires gets pretty old pretty fast.

So sure, today’s introductory song could have been 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon or Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John. I simply chose not to start my reunion with the brooding attitude that was my ball and chain when I limped away a few months ago.

I return with the Cubs boasting the National League’s second-best record, a half game behind the Dodgers and one up on those pesky Brewers. Anxiety is high in Wrigleyville, and Milwaukeeans in my ‘hood smell chum in the waters. Yes, Chicago has baseball’s easiest remaining schedule and a number of high-value assets to move ahead of this year’s trade deadline, but a comfortable NL Central lead would have been much less taxing on our bruised and battered pinstriped souls. The two teams will meet in 10 days at AmFam Field in a series that could change the trajectories of each team.

In the meantime, the Cubs, as always, need a starter or two, a reliever or two, a third baseman, and some bench depth. Unfortunately, the teams that have those commodities available are looking for controllable starting pitchers in return. That may mean hoping for Eugenio Suárez and Merrill Kelly, but settling for Ke’Bryan Hayes and Mitch Keller — at a considerable overpay, mind you — while punting on a bona fide closer.

With that in mind, I have some suggestions that run contrary to every other analyst trying to decipher this year’s trade market:

  1. Ride or die with Daniel Palencia as your closer. I knew this kid was destined to be a plus-plus asset as a backend reliever, and he’s arrived despite a rocky path. Palencia has been a stud closer, sporting a 1.57 ERA with a strikeout rate approaching 30 percent. Sign David Robertson to provide a 9th-inning umbrella.
  2. Trade one of Owen Caissie or Kevin Alcántara and a lower-tier pitching prospect for a third baseman who isn’t a rental, such as José Ramírez of the Guardians. Keep the other as major league depth this year and to potentially replace Kyle Tucker in 2026.
  3. I’d prefer three studs at the top of the rotation, but Shōta Imanaga and Matthew Boyd give Chicago a very good shot of winning when each takes the mound. A number three starter will cost a lot less than your garden variety ace, and Kyle Hendricks is a fan favorite. He’s a backend starter who easily slots as a Game 3 necessity once the playoffs start. Charlie Morton is another mid-rotation option.

Hoyer is in the last year of his contract and should be chips-in when it comes to this year’s playoff push. He’s likely to be extended, however, so there is no sense in reversing course and depleting the farm. As a fan, I’m more worried about staving off the Brewers than conquering the Dodgers or Mets in October. Getting to the NLCS is a lot tougher when entering the postseason tournament as a Wild Card.

Cubs News & Notes

Ball Four

What happened to the push for a Montreal expansion team? The City of Saints is rarely mentioned anymore.

Central Intelligence

How About That!

Kyle Gibson has announced his retirement after 13 seasons.

Despite efforts to the contrary, the MLB Draft will always pale in comparison to offerings by the NFL, NHL, and NBA.

Rob Manfred said that MLB will consider sending players to the Summer Olympics, but the schedule may be prohibitive.

The Rangers traded swingman Dane Dunning to the Braves for José Ruiz and cash.

Trade Rumors from the Desk of Ken Rosenthal (and others)

Here are some of the juicier gossip ($) that Rosenthal dropped this week for The Athletic.

After investing a combined $107 million in free-agent relievers Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, and Kirby Yates, the Dodgers are expected to pursue bullpen help

White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. has done nothing this season to improve his trade value.

The AL Central is loaded with potential bullpen trade candidates. Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith, Griffin Jax, and Jhoan Duran are all on controllable contracts, too.

Could the Rays make a run at Tucker in free agency? Rosenthal thinks the idea is not as far-fetched as it may seem.

The Red Sox may be interested in trading with the Orioles, and have their eyes on Morton. Meanwhile, the Marlins are reportedly set to be among the most active clubs in the next two weeks. Miami is willing to listen to offers for Sandy Alcántara and Edward Cabrera.

At least eight teams are on the bubble as the deadline approaches.

Extra Innings

Roll the hype vid.

They Said It

  • “I knew I could do what I’m doing this year. I didn’t think that the power numbers would be what they are so quickly. I am surprised about that, for sure. But I’ve also never seen myself play every single day. I’ve never kept the same leg kick, toe tap, anything for more than like two f—ing months. This year is the first year that I’ve had a repeatable move. Just simplifying f—ing everything.” – Crow-Armstrong
  • “Our job is just to keep winning, man. It’s as simple as that. There is so much season left. Just keep winning. Stack up wins. We’re going to be in a good position.” – Craig Counsell

Friday Walk-Up Song

Hard to believe this banger is 50 years old.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJuly 18, 2025
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