The Chicago Cubs were expected to be sellers at this year’s trade deadline, with Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman as their two major trade chips.
However, they won their sixth straight game on Thursday night in St. Louis and reached the .500 mark.
Now, the North Siders are only four games back in the Wild Card race and 5.5 games back of first place in the NL Central.
This could ultimately change how the Cubs look at things this deadline.
On Thursday, prior to their win at Busch Stadium, Ken Rosenthal discussed the Cubs’ recent hot streak and how it may complicate things this trade deadline.
Cubs are on a 6-game win streak 🔥
On today's #FTLive, @Ken_Rosenthal said if Chicago keeps this up, it'll be tougher to consider trading Stroman or Bellinger.
More ▶️ https://t.co/lu086IPGkx pic.twitter.com/CkciUtmz6N
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 28, 2023
Rosenthal stated that if the Cubs remain hot and head into Tuesday’s deadline having won 10 of their last 12, it would be very difficult for the front office to sell the idea of trading Stroman and Bellinger.
Rosenthal noted that Stroman has regressed over his past six starts, but that Bellinger could bring back a solid haul.
Still, there isn’t a whole lot of clarity on the situation, as Rosenthal notes.
The Cubs may still be undecided on what they’ll do by Tuesday.
However, Rosenthal said that if the Cubs are unable to keep this going, then they would likely end up selling.
After Thursday’s win over the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs are back at the .500 mark for the first time since mid-May.
Chicago is now just 5.5 games back of first place in the NL Central and four games back of the third and final Wild Card spot.
NEXT: Cody Bellinger Is Having A Vintage Month Of July
