MLB Rumors: The Cubs may not sell all their assets after all

The Chicago Cubs swept the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this week, moving to within 3.5 games of the NL Central lead in the process. Suddenly, Chicago, which has the best run differential in the division by a wide margin, is within striking distance.

Much of the talk the last few weeks has been regarding trades for Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman. Both players can opt out of their current deals early, thus becoming free agents after the season. If the Cubs aren't going to compete this year, then it would make sense for the front office to get what they can for said players now, while hoping to bring them back in free agency.

For Jed Hoyer, however, it's not so simple. The Cubs fanbase has been waiting for quite some time to contend, and considering the talent on their roster, their chances at winning a putrid NL Central division are better than their record would suggest. Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, many teams within the division still view it as up for grabs:

"Jed Hoyer, the Cubs' president of baseball operations, summed up the NL Central quite well on Wednesday, telling reporters, "Anyone can still win it." Another NL Central executive, speaking on condition of anonymity because he did not want to disparage his own team and others in the division, likened the race to "a pillow fight." He could have been talking about the AL Central, as well."

These next few weeks will determine Chicago's fate, but should they keep winning, selling is out of the question.

MLB Rumors: NY Mets want to make a big splash

This season has not gone according to plan for a Mets team that was expected by many to be among the top contenders in the National League. Instead, the organization with the highest payroll in baseball is wallowing in the NL East, and far from striking distance.

Much of that can be blamed on the front office. General manager Billy Eppler had few restrictions from owner Steve Cohen, who is willing to spend whatever it takes to win in New York. With that in mind, could a change be coming?

There's no indication that Eppler will be fired — Cohen even said he doesn't want to clean house just yet. But Cohen is reportedly courting one of baseball's top executives behind the scenes. David Stearns, currently an advisor for the Milwaukee Brewers and the former general manager, took a year off from his day job due to what some in the MLB community have coined burnout.

"I have never met the person, but why would that matter?" Cohen responded to The Post's Jon Heyman. "I'm so focused on the Mets season right now. It's not something I'm thinking about."

Per Heyman, Stearns could be hired by the Mets in a president of baseball operations role. This would put him above Eppler on the organizational depth chart, though it's unclear how the pair would coexist, or if Eppler would seek employment elsewhere.

MLB Rumors: Could Cardinals trade Tyler O'Neill to the Yankees?

The St. Louis Cardinals are in the midst of a nightmare season. What most pundits assumed were the runaway favorites in the NL Central now reside in the cellar. Unless St. Louis pulls off a shocking turnaround, expect them to sell off some expiring contracts at the trade deadline. The likes of Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty and Tyler O'Neill could be heading elsewhere.

O'Neill, for one, is a talented, multifaceted outfielder when healthy. Unfortunately, he's had lingering back issues this season which has kept him on the injured list since May.

Still, his potential alone could allow the Cards to trade him to a contender, if they wish. Per MLB insider Jon Heyman, a fit could be the New York Yankees, who have a hole in left field. New York and St. Louis linked up for a trade last season, which sent Montgomery to the Cardinals in exchange for Harrison Bader. Could a similar trade be in the works for 2023?

The Cardinals never sell. Somehow, despite residing at the bottom of the NL Central, it'll still be a surprise to see them trade away their high-level players. At this point in his career, though, O'Neill doesn't carry much trade value. He's in Oli Marmol's doghouse and frankly cannot stay healthy. New York needs an outfielder they can count on, and O'Neill is not that this season.