Everyone knows the big names who could be available this MLB trade deadline, such as Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto and Troy Tulowitzki. However, sometimes it's the smaller names who make the biggest difference at the deadline.
While it's possible the Chicago Cubs could make a blockbuster trade, they may also complement a bigger trade with a set of smaller ones.
Here are five players the Cubs could have their eyes on when the trade deadline comes. Nabbing them won't make as many headlines as the big players available this trade deadline, but they could be just as important to the team's success ...
Since the new front-office regime of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer took over, the Cubs have drafted very well, especially in the early rounds. Players like Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber have been added just in the past two years alone and they will look to further improve the organization with June's draft.
Whether they decide to go pitcher heavy or hitter heavy, the team is likely to target the players who fit into their short- and long-term plans. Here is a mock draft of the first four rounds and the players the Cubs may consider taking in each early round.
A ...
Even though it isn't emphasized as much in baseball, the draft is important in building winning teams. Since it takes so long for draftees to reach the majors in most cases, it's hard to evaluate them immediately after the fact.
Now, let's take a step back and look at the Cubs' last 10 first-round draft picks. They will each receive a letter grade based on whether or not they panned out, where they are in their career and what track they're on (if they still have time to develop).Begin Slideshow
Over the past several seasons, Cubs fans couldn't help but focus on their farm system, if nothing else to get their minds off of the lackluster product at the major league level. Now that the Cubs are competitive, their minor league system has slipped back into the background.
However, continuing to churn out young talent in the farm system is extremely important, and the Cubs still have a number of talented young players getting ready to move to Chicago.
Here is a list of the team's top 10 prospects and whether or not their stocks are up or down based on their ...
The Chicago Cubs have hit a rough patch over the past week or so, but they're still right around the .500 mark. That's better than they've been in the past seven years or so, and it's thanks to several improvements the team has already made in 2015.
While they still have plenty to work on if they want to be playing long into October this year, here are five things the Cubs have already managed to improve in 2015.Begin Slideshow
One month through the season, expectations are as high as ever on the North Side of Chicago. The Cubs are looking like a competitive team, and that's a breath of fresh air for baseball in the Windy City.
While it's still early, here are five takeaways from the beginning of the 2015 season for the Cubs.
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.Begin Slideshow
For the first time in a very long time, the Cubs were active in free agency and the trade market (from the buying end) this offseason. That meant a lot of roster turnover and a lot of questions going into this season.
Some of those questions have begun to be answered, while others remain unanswered. Whatever the case may be, here are grades through the first two-and-a-half weeks of the season for the team's seven key new additions for 2015.
All stats used are courtesy of Baseball-Reference.Begin Slideshow
The MLB season is only a couple weeks in, but it's never too early to look at teams' trade assets. Every team has some; the Cubs have several.
Unlike in past seasons, the Cubs may be buyers rather than sellers at this year's deadline. That could mean they're trading minor league or major league assets. It could also mean they're standing pat.
Whether they decide to trade any of these players or not, these are the Cubs' top five trade chips two weeks into the season.Begin Slideshow
Expectations are extremely high for the Cubs this season and the regular season is finally underway. 2015 got off to a rocky start with the Cubs getting shut out at home to start the year, but there's plenty of season left to be played.
It's dangerous to read too much into a team's first three games, but based on some trends that are already emerging, here are the five biggest things fans can take away from the team's performance over the first few days of the season.
All stats used in this story are taken from Baseball-Reference.Begin Slideshow
While the weather certainly doesn't feel like it, the Cubs are set to open their season against the Cardinals on Sunday night in the first MLB game of the year. With the new season getting underway, a new era of Cubs baseball will be ushered in.
As the Cubs push for their first playoff berth since 2008, there are going to be many things at play. Here are the five biggest storylines to follow as the North Side of Chicago gears up for a longer baseball season than usual in 2015.Begin Slideshow
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