Chicago Cubs linked to All-Star trade that would give fans chills

The Chicago Cubs are now a decade removed from winning their first World Series since 1908, but it feels like just yesterday.

The Cubs haven’t exactly experienced a ton of postseason success since then, but this year’s team seems to have a bit of a different feel to it. Of course, it would still help if Jed Hoyer went out and actually made some moves at the trade deadline this time around.

Remember: last year, Chicago largely stood pat at the deadline while rival squads around them made significant moves. It ended up coming back to bite Hoyer and Co. the rest of the season, and Cubs fans surely do not want to see a repeat of such inactivity.

So, what areas could Chicago address between now and Aug. 3?

Well, the Cubs could definitely afford to bolster their bullpen, and Jake Misener of Cubbies Crib has pitched a potential target that would put Chicago fans right in their feels: Aroldis Chapman.

Could the Chicago Cubs trade for Aroldis Chapman?

Chapman joined the Cubs at the trade deadline in 2016, coming over in a deal with the New York Yankees. Chicago sent then-top prospect Gleyber Torres back to the Yankees in the trade.

There were certainly some bumpy moments for Chapman in the playoffs, but he ultimately played a pivotal role in helping the Cubs win the World Series, logging a 1.01 ERA while racking up 46 strikeouts over 26.2 innings for Chicago during the regular season.

Misener would like to see the left-hander — who is currently pitching for the Boston Red Sox — back in the fold.

“Pairing Chapman with Daniel Palencia at the back of the Cubs’ bullpen would give Craig Counsell one of the best late-inning duos in all of baseball,” Misener wrote. “He’s got the experience and there’s familiarity on both sides of the equation, so this is a name to keep an eye on.”

While Theo Epstein was calling the shots back in 2016, Hoyer was a member of Chicago’s front office, so he knows Chapman well.

In 12 appearances with the struggling Red Sox this season, Chapman has pitched to the tune of a 0.77 ERA, allowing just seven hits while registering 14 punchouts across 11.2 frames. He surely wouldn’t come cheap, but reuniting with the eight-time All-Star would certainly be an exciting move for the Cubs.

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