With the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline only 8 days away, multiple teams around the league are looking for opportunities to upgrade their rosters while other ball clubs hope to acquire pieces that will help them build for the future.
One of the teams hoping to build for the future are the Chicago Cubs. Currently sitting at 44-53 and in fourth place in the ultra-competitive National League Central, the Cubs are in serious need of young talent and they haven't been afraid to deal or look into dealing some of their high-profile players.
Sending starting pitcher Scott Feldman to the Baltimore Orioles and reliever Carlos Marmol to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this month, the Cubs and GM Theo Epstein showed their top priority is to construct a competitive team for years to come, since a strong core starting with shortstop Starlin Castro and first baseman Anthony Rizzo is there to build around.
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Recently sending starter Matt Garza to the Texas Rangers as well, Chicago received 3 of Texas' top prospects as the club hopes to be a postseason contender by at least 2015. In return for Garza - who is 6-1 this season with a 3.17 ERA - the Cubs receive pitchers C.J. Edwards and Justin Grimm along with promising third baseman Mike Olt.
Soriano Headed Back to the Bronx?
While these moves should help the organization bulk up the minor league system for the near future, moving current outfielder Alfonso Soriano is another step the Cubs could take towards getting younger and deeper.
With 17 home runs this season to go along with 51 RBI's and a .260 batting average, Soriano will certainly stand out to multiple teams, including the team he began his pro career with in 1999.
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According to SB nation, the New York Yankees are close to acquiring Soriano for the simple fact that the team is in desperate need of hitting as they struggle to produce runs. Looking to stay in the playoff race with teams like the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers, Soriano's ability to hit home runs and drive in runs would be a welcomed asset in the Bronx.
The 37-year-old spent 5 seasons in New York where he grew into one of the best offensive players in baseball. His finest season in Pinstripes came in 2002 when the then second baseman drove in 102 runs with an even .300 average and 39 home runs.
Stealing 41 bases that year as well, Soriano proved to be a complete player and if the Yankees are able to swing a deal to bring him back, they'd certainly bolster a depleted line-up.
Other MLB Rumors
With pitching always a desired position at the trade deadline, Milwaukee Brewers reliever Francisco Rodriguez has become a prized player by multiple organizations.
According to Bleacher Report, the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers have strong interest in acquiring the righty since each club could use an added boost out of the bullpen. The former Anaheim Angels and New York Mets closer is pitching to a 1.09 ERA in 25 appearances this season.
Another pitcher who could be on the move is White Sox starter Jake Peavy. With a number of teams looking into the righty, the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are strong candidates to possibly bring in the former Cy Young Award winner. Boston has been hot on Peavy's trail the last few weeks according to multiple sources.
Red Sox are doing background work on Jake Peavy, who pitches against AT today. Arizona, SF, Colorado also in the discussions.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 20, 2013
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