Cubs already slammed with bad news before MLB trade deadline

The Chicago Cubs are in absolute free fall right now, as they have lost seven straight games and 11 of their last 13 to fall to third place in the NL Central.

It has been a tumultuous first couple of months for the Cubs, who put together a pair of 10-game winning streaks earlier in the season only to see things completely come apart at the seams.

Just about everything is going wrong for Chicago right now. Not only has the pitching been subpar, but the Cubs have also seemingly forgotten how to hit and have been shut out in two of their last three contests.

In spite of Chicago’s poor offense, though, the team’s biggest need is still starting rotation help, which is why Jed Hoyer is largely expected to add at least one other arm between now and the MLB trade deadline.

The Cubs have already been connected to numerous big names, and they certainly have the ammo to acquire one. However, Robert Murray of FanSided has delivered some pretty bad news on one potential target for Chicago.

Chicago Cubs receive bad news on Joe Ryan

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan has long been viewed as a possible trade target for the Cubs and could very well be the best pitcher on the market before Aug. 3, but Murray doesn’t seem to believe Chicago will pull the trigger on him.

“Listen, do I think the Cubs will have interest in Ryan? What contending team wouldn’t have interest in him? It’s the same thing the Minnesota Twins faced last season when they had their epic trade deadline sell off and held onto Ryan. The asking price this year will be extreme, and I have a hard time seeing the Cubs meeting that price, especially after trading Owen Caissie to the Miami Marlins for Edward Cabrera,” Murray wrote.

The Cubs still have some terrific prospects they can move for Ryan, but to Murray’s point, how much more do they want to replete their farm system? Not only did they move Caissie for Cabrera during the offseason, but two winters ago, they also dealt Cam Smith in the Kyle Tucker trade.

Through 11 starts this year, Ryan has logged a 3.02 ERA while allowing 41 hits and registering 61 strikeouts over 56.2 innings of work. He owns a sparkling 0.971 WHIP and boasts an impressive 4.36 K/BB ratio, so he will definitely be sought after should the Twins make him available.

The 30-year-old is under club control through 2027, so whoever acquires him (if he is moved) will have him for one more year before he hits free agency.

It just might not be Chicago.

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