Inside The Cubs

Could Chicago Cubs and Red Sox Be Perfect Trade Partners as Deadline Approaches?

As the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox prepare to faceoff this weekend, it begs the question: could they soon be trade partners?
Kade Kistner|
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

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The Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox are about to begin at series at Wrigley Field this weekend. 

Both clubs are in similar spots. Both have played well, the Cubs have the only positive run differential in the National League Central and the Red Sox are 48-43 and only two games out of a Wild Card spot.

They are also two teams that can't quite define whether or not they are buyers or sellers at the MLB trade deadline. 

But perhaps they could be perfect trade partners. 

The Red Sox are in need of a mid-level reliever and middle infielder, specifically a second baseman. Baseball Essential has some ideas as to who they could trade for. 

Looking at those profiles, the Cubs have Mark Leiter Jr. to offer as well as Nick Madrigal. 

Neither player would alter the Cubs plans too drastically in terms of their contention window. Leiter is a free agent at the end of the season and Madrigal has never really taken a stranglehold on what his role with the club is. 

Boston could slot both of those players in and fill immediate holes. The Red Sox boast a top-five farm system and could offer Chicago a player that could help them as their window for contending begins to open. 

While it's not a blockbuster trade, it could be the exact type of trade both teams are looking to make at this season's deadline. It's not flashy, but it fills the needs of both teams and helps execute their vision moving forward.

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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