Chicago Cubs 'Ultimately Will Sell' Stars At Trade Deadline: Report

As the Chicago Cubs work to figure out if they’re going to buy or sell at the trade deadline, at least one American League executive believes he’s knows what’s going to happen.

MLB.com wrote a piece about several teams in a trade deadline piece, and one was the Cubs.

The Cubs are still under-.500, but they’re getting closer to .500 baseball and closer to the top of the National League Central. With less than a week to go, the Cubs are building a last-minute case to make a push for the postseason.

But, one AL executive quoted in the piece said he expects the opposite next week, especially when it comes to pitcher Marcus Stroman and outfielder Cody Bellinger.

“I’d have to imagine they ultimately will (sell), but I think they’re still in wait-and-see mode,” that executive said.

Stroman and Bellinger have been two of the most talked-about trade targets for the past month. As the Cubs sort through their future, these two players are key to either making a playoff push — or replenishing their minor-league system.

Stroman is having one of the best seasons of his career, making the All-Star team for the second time. He has a 10-7 record with a 3.09 ERA. It’s the fifth time in his career that he’s reached double-digit victories in a season.

He has stated repeatedly he wants to stay in Chicago, but the Cubs are not inclined to extend him. He has a $21 million contract in 2024, but he can opt out and he is widely expected to do so.

Bellinger is having a resurgent season with the Cubs. He’s batting better than .300 and if he stays there it would be the first time he did that since his All-Star and MVP season of 2019. Before arriving in Chicago, he had two straight seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers where he hit .210 or below. Bellinger and Cubs have a mutual option for next season worth $25 million.

Whether the pair stay or go is up to the Cubs and how they play in the final few days before the deadline.

More From SI's Inside The Cubs

1. Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Chicago Cubs?

2. Did David Robertson Net the Cubs a Future Star in Ben Brown?

3. Hoerner is the Cubs Shortstop of the Future

4. Cubs Could Give Canario a Shot in September

5. Could the Cubs Land Trea Turner in the Offseason?

6. Chicago Cubs Have a New Top Prospect in Their Rankings

7. Is This Top Cubs Prospect Destined for the Mound at Wrigley?

8. Steele Offers Glimpse Into Future of Cubs Rotation

9. Do the Chicago Cubs Have the National League's Best Bullpen?