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July 14: Cubs planning to be Trade Deadline buyers?
Although their doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Cardinals on Saturday dropped them to 46-51 and left them with just an 8.8% chance of making the postseason, per FanGraphs’ playoff odds, the Cubs might be planning to buy rather than sell at the Trade Deadline.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Chicago has shown interest in Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen. A pending free agent, Jansen is likely to be traded if Toronto ends up selling, as the club is expected to do.

With a .786 OPS since the beginning of 2020 (.715 in 2024), Jansen would be a huge upgrade for a Cubs team that has gotten little production out of the catching spot this season, ranking 29th with a .491 OPS at the position.

With how they’ve played this season, it can be argued that it doesn’t make much sense for Chicago to trade young talent for rentals at this time. That said, selling isn't exactly a viable option for the team, either, due to its lack of obvious trade candidates.

Most of the Cubs’ players are signed to long-term deals or controllable beyond 2024, and rentals such as starter Kyle Hendricks (6.78 ERA) and catcher Yan Gomes (.421 OPS) are struggling. Reliever Héctor Neris (2025 club option for $9 million) has pitched better lately, but his 6.3 BB/9 puts a serious dent in his trade value.

It would have made sense for the Cubs to shop Cody Bellinger, who can opt out to test free agency this offseason. However, the left-handed slugger is expected to be out past the Deadline after fracturing his finger.

July 11: Trade candidate Belli to IL with fractured finger
Cody Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list with a non-displaced fracture of his finger on Thursday, potentially removing one of the Cubs' top trade chips from the equation with a few weeks to go before the July 30 Trade Deadline.

It's not a given that the Cubs will sell, of course. The team entered Thursday 3 1/2 games out in the National League Wild Card race with a 44-49 record.

Bellinger, though, had been drawing interest from multiple teams prior to his injury. According to a report from Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required), the Cubs have talked to the Phillies, Braves, Astros and Mariners about Bellinger.

The 28-year-old can test free agency this offseason if he opts out of the final two years on his three-year, $80 million contract.