The Chicago Cubs are currently 45-28, six-and-a-half games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the National League Central.
Chicago has the best run differential (+107) in Major League Baseball, a testament to its high-octane offense and dominant pitching staff.
Even without their two best pitchers, the Cubs have established themselves as contenders and will be aggressive at the trade deadline.
The Cubs will be in the starting pitching market but should also be pursuing bullpen help despite having the best unit in baseball since April 19.
Russell Dorsey of Yahoo! Sports dubbed the Cubs as a potential landing spot for a three-time All-Star and two-time Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year.
Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase would be a great fit in Chicago if the Cubs could convince the Guardians to cough him up.
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Clase, 27, is one of the most dominant relievers in the game despite struggling in the postseason last year and the beginning of this season.
Clase is 4-1 with 16 saves and has a 3.69 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP in 33 appearances this season.
After allowing 10 runs in 13.1 innings across March and April, Clase has allowed just three earned runs in 18.1 innings across May and June.
Clase led MLB in saves in 2022 and 2023 and led the AL in saves last season. Over the last three seasons, Clase recorded 133 saves.
If his struggles are behind him, Clase would be electric at Wrigley Field.
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