At some point, Hoyer and the Cubs front office must commit to being buyers or sellers before the trade deadline. The upcoming schedule is favorable for them to get going. Over the next 3½ weeks, the Cubs play series against the Philadelphia Phillies (38-41 entering Saturday), Arizona Diamondbacks (23-61) twice, St. Louis Cardinals (41-42) twice and Reds (41-40). There’s an opportunity to make a move back up the standings. If not, Rizzo, Bryant, Javier Báez and Craig Kimbrel all are candidates to fetch assets that could help the Cubs beyond this season.
