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By Drew VonScio
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Chicago Cubs need starting pitching help at the trade deadline, and there isn't really any way around it.
It's only a matter of time before the Cubs make a move to address the rotation, and MLB insider Jeff Passan believes Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins is the best case scenario for Chicago.
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"Among Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon, the Cubs have a perfectly OK starting rotation to take into a playoff series," wrote Passan. "Considering the lineups they could face in the NL playoffs -- the Dodgers, Phillies, Mets and Diamondbacks, among others -- OK might not be enough. And that's not to say Alcántara would suddenly morph into a world-beater once he put on a Cubs uniform. He's just the kind of guy on whom teams in need take a risk."
Alcántara has been far from perfect this season as he's given up a significant amount of runs. However, his resume speaks for itself. Contenders are going to take a chance on him, and hope a fresh start away from an awful Marlins team will help revive his season.
The Cubs have certainly been in the market for starting pitching going back to the offseason. This makes a trade even more likely for Chicago, and Passan added there is some familiar history between the organizations.
"The calculus here could change if Valdez or Gallen becomes available, but in terms of pitchers teams know will be available, Alcántara, even a slightly diminished version, is the best," wrote Passan. "With two more years of club control beyond this season, he slots nicely into the front of a rotation that lost Justin Steele to Tommy John surgery. And don't forget: The Cubs had a deal in place for Jesús Luzardo before medicals scuttled it. The teams are very familiar with one another's systems, and that always helps when trying to facilitate a trade."
Chicago will certainly need a pitcher like Alcántara if it wishes to compete for a National League pennant or World Series title.
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