Cubs' Theo Epstein: Trade Conversations Beginning To Progress

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Cubs are in a great position to add depth to an already elite team over the next six weeks prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. Friday's call-up of prized catching prospect Willson Contreras was a reminder to other clubs that the Cubs' farm system is still flush with great talent coming through the pipeline.

Some of the duplication of position-player depth may be used to acquire more help for the 25-man roster via the trade market. The Cubs entered play Friday with an MLB-best mark of 44-20.

With the 24-year-old Contreras and 22-year-old outfielder Albert Almora as the Cubs' latest additions, that type of advertising can do nothing but help executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer as they pursue important pieces for a deep playoff run. Bullpen depth and a lefty-hitting outfielder appear to be the priorities on the team's list.

The two highest-profile bullpen arms dominating the rumor mill are Yankees relievers Aroldis Chapman (2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) and Andrew Miller (1.26 ERA, 0.66 WHIP), and upward of 10 teams will have interest in them. The timeline for their availability could depend on the Yankees' positioning in the playoff race, as they entered Friday trailing by 6.5 games in the AL East and by 4.5 games for the second wild-card spot. It remains uncertain if and when New York general manager Brian Cashman could move the two impact relievers.

Athletics left-hander Sean Doolittle (2.67 ERA, 0.93 WHIP) is also coveted by many in the playoff push to be a late-inning bullpen addition.

The Cubs have stockpiled veteran bullpen arms like Joe Nathan, Brian Matusz and Joel Peralta in the minor leagues. The hope is one or two of these reclamation projects can recapture some past aura for a brief impact on the team in August or September.

If that doesn't appear likely, a trade will become a more likely way to improve and add depth.

"Every organization has areas of strength and areas of concern," Epstein said. "We believe in this team. There will come a time that there is a deal out there that makes sense. We can bolster any weaknesses we may have at that time. The organization is healthy, and we have had solid performances in the minor leagues. We have young players performing well up here. Obviously, you have to match up with other teams (to make a deal)."

The Cubs have both the money flexibility (to a point) and the player resources to entice trading partners.

"We feel like there are some things we can do down the line without mortgaging the future," Epstein said. "That way we hope can bolster the big league club. Our guys going out there every day deserve some support if you can make it happen."

The Cubs bullpen's down tick of late doesn't concern Epstein and Hoyer to the point they have to make a deal right now. The Cubs will be proactive in researching deal that may present themselves, Epstein said, but they'll also display patience. After all, there are still many teams that need to figure out whether they're buyers or sellers.

"It's up a little bit," Epstein said of trade conversations with other baseball executives. "It's different now that there are two wild cards. There are usually only a couple of teams out of it and looking to sell this early. There is some talk right now, but compared to 10 years ago, not quiet as much. We will always be open-minded about upgrading at some point too."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.