As the fans get re-energized with the reports of how well certain prospects are doing in the minors, attention away from the field play comes back around to what trading chips the Cubs have left.
Two of the names coming up in conversation are James Russell and Wesley Wright. Both are left handed relievers. Both are having good seasons. Both could solidify a contender's bullpen with a lefty specialist. But both will not bring back much in return.
I always felt that Starlin Castro would wind up with the Yankees. However, there have been several reports that the Mets are interested in Castro, and one proposal has the Cubs acquiring 29 year old second baseman Daniel Murphy. Murphy in 5.5 seasons has a career 10.6 WAR. This year he is hitting .289, with 7 HRs. Murphy and a package of prospects does not seem feasible to pry Castro from the Cubs. The good point in that discussion is that the Cubs would be receiving a major league player in return. The bad point is that Murphy does not help the long term roster, and the Cubs have more high ceiling players who can play second (Alcantara and Baez).
The one area of system need continues to be starting pitching. Relievers like Russell and Wright can not get a high level or major league ready AAA pitcher in a trade. Castro could get maybe one major league ready AAA pitcher. More likely, the front office would want several lower level pitching prospects as greater numbers improve the chances that a prospect will turn out okay.
There are plenty of players who have played themselves into trade crumbs: Olt, Lake, Schierholtz, Barney, Villaneuva, and even T. Wood.
