Nick Deeds
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Articles by Nick Deeds
Cubs could turn Jared Banner hire into a surprising Orioles trade opportunity
The Chicago Cubs' first big loss of the offseason has already occurred, and it's not Seiya Suzuki, Clay Holmes, or any of the other key impending free agents who they're at risk of seeing sign with other teams this winter. Instead, this loss came in the front office, as former Assistant GM Jared Banner was tapped by the Orioles to become their new GM under president of baseball operations Mike Elias.
Jefferson Rojas, 4 more NY Mets prospects added at 2026 trade deadline we'll see in 2027
The 2026 season was a devastating season for New York Mets fans, but there was plenty of light at the end of the tunnel come summertime. Valuable pieces from the team's disappointing roster like Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta were used to bring in a number of really impressive group of prospects. The best part of the deadline, however, is just how quickly some of these prospects could impact the major league club.
3 trade targets who could help the Cubs avoid another painful postseason disappointment
After an embarrassing sweep in the Wild Card series at the hands of the Padres, the Chicago Cubs enter the offseason facing near-certain upheaval all around their roster. Whether it's dreams of adding Tarik Skubal to the rotation or the frustrating reality of Seiya Suzuki's impending departure, no one should question the fact that there's big change coming to the north side this winter. The only question is: how can Jed Hoyer and his front office make the most of it?
25 greatest one-year wonders in Cubs history who disappeared almost as fast as they arrived
While the Chicago Cubs were sent to a frustratingly early offseason by the Padres this year, that shouldn't take away from the incredible season fans just got to watch Pete Crow-Armstrong put together in center field. It's undoubtedly one of the very best seasons in Cubs history, as he reached 40-40 while recording 10.6 fWAR (or 9.8 bWAR, if you prefer) and playing all 162 games. That sensational season brings to mind the names of other Cubs greats, like Billy Williams and Sammy Sosa.
25 greatest one-year wonders in Cubs history who disappeared almost as fast as they arrived
Let's take a look through a time capsule, shall we? ByNick Deeds|Oct 16, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT Jul 24, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Frank Schwindel (18) against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Cubs may already need to shift focus to offseason after history delivers brutal wild card truth
The Chicago Cubs are on the precipice of disaster after just one postseason game. After Matthew Boyd led off Game 1 of the Wild Card Series in San Diego by allowing back-to-back homers to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, the Cubs already have their backs against the wall and are facing elimination. While the Cubs and Kevin Gausman gear up for what could be their last stand, however, fans should be braced for what appears to be inevitable: an early start to the offseason.
Cubs may already need to shift focus to offseason after history delivers brutal Wild Card truth
The Chicago Cubs are on the precipice of disaster after just one postseason game. After Matthew Boyd led off Game 1 of the Wild Card Series in San Diego by allowing back-to-back homers to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, the Cubs already have their backs against the wall and are facing elimination. While the Cubs and Kevin Gausman gear up for what could be their last stand, however, fans should be braced for what appears to be inevitable: an early start to the offseason.
3 Matt Shaw trades the Cubs may actually want to consider when the 2026 ends
The Chicago Cubs have been one of the most confusing teams in baseball this year, with far and away the best positional group in the sport when it comes to both offense and defense that's held back by a pitching staff that's among the worst in the league. For now, the focus for the Cubs is trying to get through the Wild Card race unscathed. Headed into the offseason, however, Chicago's front office has some big decisions that will need to be made.
An easy way David Stearns can help appease fed up NY Mets fans
New York Mets fans got an ugly reminder of David Stearns's worst tendencies when Pete Alonso crushed his 300th career home run at what used to be his home ballpark. Alongside celebrating an old friend's milestone accomplishment, Mets fans chanted "FIRE STEARNS" throughout the evening as they finally gave voice to their fury over the president of baseball operations' mishandling of the polar bear, which led to him signing in Baltimore last offseason.
Cubs have troubling Daniel Palencia red flag that makes bullpen turnaround harder to trust
While the Chicago Cubs' ticket to the playoffs is all but punched at this point, though a tough September has left some fans panicking. FanGraphs places their odds of missing the postseason entirely at something approaching a rounding error at this point, but whether or not this team is built for a deep run in October is another question entirely. The position player corps is the very best in the majors this year, and it will only get better when Dansby Swanson finally returns.
Checking in on Braxton Garrett after Cubs took intriguing project away from Marlins
The Chicago Cubs had a strong trade deadline showing this year, with Clay Holmes and Kevin Gausman looking like the clear top starters in the rotation at this point even in spite of occasional clunkers from each of them since arriving in Chicago. It wasn't a perfect haul, however. While it seems the Cubs tried hard to get a deal done for an impactful controllable arm, the best they were able to do is acquire southpaw Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins.
3 Cubs free agents Angels suddenly seem competitive for after Stan Kroenke purchase
The Chicago Cubs are fighting for positioning in the NL playoff race right now, so figuring out the bullpen is of more interest to fans in Wrigleyville right now than the coming offseason. That's not true for every club, however, and exhibit A of that fact is the Los Angeles Angels. The team is in the midst of a seismic shift amid Arte Moreno's abrupt sale of the franchise to Stan Kroenke, and that news gives fans in Anaheim hope for the first time since Shohei Ohtani's departure.
3 Cubs free agents who struck gold in Chicago but don't need new deals
For right now, all eyes among Chicago Cubs fans remain squarely focused on the pennant race. There's still plenty of work to do before the team punches their ticket to October, and the September collapses of 2019 and 2023 should keep the club from getting too comfortable until their spot in the postseason is completely locked in. The same is not true, however, for the front office.
3 aging Cubs prospects approaching last chance to make roster as September call-ups loom
Recent painful series losses aside, the Chicago Cubs are wrapping up the month of August in strong position to make it to the postseason. September will be their final opportunity to try and catch the Brewers for the NL Central crown, but it also represents an opportunity for some of the lesser-known players in the organization as rosters expand.
3 aging Cubs prospects approaching last chance to make roster as September call-ups loom
Recent painful series losses aside, the Chicago Cubs are wrapping up the month of August in strong position to make it to the postseason. September will be their final opportunity to try and catch the Brewers for the NL Central crown, but it also represents an opportunity for some of the lesser-known players in the organization as rosters expand.
Cubs have chance to rewrite payroll narrative with looming Seiya Suzuki decision
It's hard to not be optimistic about the trajectory of the 2026 Chicago Cubs. While they still face a steep climb if they hope to catch the Brewers for the NL Central crown, they've got the best offense and defense in baseball with a pitching staff that's greatly improved after the trade deadline. With even more pitching reinforcements on the way from the injured list, the Cubs should be a force to be reckoned with come October for even the sport's very best clubs.
The NY Mets trade train that led them to their new number one prospect
The New York Mets did what they could to salvage a deeply disappointing 2026 season last month with a trade deadline fire sale that saw them ship out a number of veterans from their roster. Those deals injected plenty of young talent into their farm system, but none was more impressive than infield prospect Jefferson Rojas, who was a consensus top-100 talent with the Cubs before being dealt.
Nico Hoerner keeps making his importance to the Cubs offense impossible to ignore
When the Chicago Cubs opted to sign Nico Hoerner to a hefty $141 million extension at the outset of the 2026 campaign to keep him from walking in free agency at season's end, it was a move met with near-universal applause among Cubs fans. Hoerner enjoyed something of a breakout campaign in 2025 as he hit .297 with a .345 on-base percentage to go along with his elite defense at second base.
The best Baseball Savant percentile from these NY Mets rookies
There hasn't been a lot for Mets fans to be excited about this year, although some of the new prospects in town after the trade deadline have helped to assuage the frustrations of a lost season. Aside from that, the main thing keeping Mets fans tuning into this team has been a series of intriguing performances from young up-and-comers on the roster. While Jefry Yan has gotten all the attention in recent weeks, there are other youngsters who will be far more impactful going forward.
Tarik Skubal's LA Dodgers teammate could lure the NY Mets into a familiar trap
The trade deadline was busy all across MLB. While the New York Mets had a busy deadline full of ups and downs, most of the national attention was focused on the Dodgers landing two-time Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal for a prospect package that many saw as a bit light. While he's a Dodger for the short-term, Skubal's long-term fate remains up in the air with free agency on the horizon in November.
3 teams that could poach Carter Hawkins away from the Cubs during the offseason
After the Chicago Cubs' big trade deadline, the team looks better positioned than ever to make a deep run into the postseason. Now that baseball's top position player group has been complemented with a much deeper pitching staff, the rest of 2026 is shaping up to be very fun for the Wrigley faithful. With that being said, shadows are lurking in the offseason. Deadline additions Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor join a massive group of pending free agents on the Cubs.
If the NY Mets trade Francisco Lindor this winter, these teams could make sense
The trade deadline has come and gone. As the New York Mets play out the final weeks of their disastrous 2026 season, eyes are already going to be turning towards 2027, where brighter days hopefully lie. That means both celebrating some of the great prospect additions the team made like infielder Jefferson Rojas, but it also means looking ahead at playing time for youngsters down the stretch and future transactions that could build on the moves made this summer.
This Cubs fallen prospect didn't get traded at the deadline, but he'll be gone by 2027
The Chicago Cubs had a massive trade deadline this year thanks to a series of aggressive swings from president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and his front office. While well-regarded youngsters like Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas departed the organization in that frenzy, one piece who was widely expected to be at risk of being traded remains in the organization. That's outfielder Kevin Alcantara, who was optioned to Triple-A after the deadline to clear active roster space.
Building a Cubs dream pitching staff if Jed Hoyer becomes unhinged at the 2026 trade deadline
Jed Hoyer is known among Chicago Cubs fans for being a very reserved executive. He doesn't like to spend at the top of the market in free agency, and he's rarely in the market for the most elite players available even at the trade deadline. With all of that said, however, this is the year for aggression if there ever was one. The Cubs have one of the best offenses in baseball but are held back by a pitching staff held together with duct tape and bubblegum.
4 Cubs trade acquisitions who can be targeted for 2027 and beyond
It goes without saying at this point that the Chicago Cubs are going to be on the hunt for pitching help ahead of the trade deadline, which is now a matter of days away. The only questions that remain surround who exactly they'll bring in, and what they'll have to give up in order to get those deals done.
This Cubs-Giants' Robbie Ray trade package could save Chicago's postseason hopes
It's no secret that the Chicago Cubs badly need starting pitching help. While they've played solidly enough coming out of the All-Star break and still remain in a strong position in the NL Wild Card race, the Cubs are lagging behind the Brewers in the NL Central and are looking all but certain to need to overcome a three-game Wild Card set come October if they manage to make the postseason. That'll require better pitching, especially with Jameson Taillon's continued struggles.
Shohei Ohtani injury update suddenly puts Pete Crow-Armstrong in position to do the unthinkable
Shohei Ohtani was expected to make his first post-All Star break start on July 22, but manager Dave Roberts broke the news to reporters (including MLB.com's Sonja Chen) recently that Ohtani won't be able to pitch. Roberts indicated that a knee issue that has been bothering Ohtani in recent weeks has continued in the aftermath of the All Star break, and as a result the Dodgers will have to be without Ohtani on the mound for the foreseeable future.
3 Cubs second-half storylines that will make or break the 2026 season
It was an up-and-down first half for the Cubs, but they managed to enter the All-Star break in a rather solid position. They're 54-42 on the year, leaving them five games back of the Brewers for the NL Central crown but offering them a 3 1/2-game cushion in the NL Wild Card race. With the All-Star break wrapping up, it's almost time for the team to get back to work for the stretch run.
Red Sox roster cut makes this NY Mets trade candidate even more realistic for Boston
Amid a season that has turned out to be disastrous for the New York Mets, president of baseball operations David Stearns and his front office now must turn their attention towards the trade deadline, where they're all but guaranteed to sell off plenty of pieces. While the asking price should be kept high for controllable pieces like Luke Weaver, the same can't be said for the team's rental pieces. Those players need to be either traded or allowed to walk for nothing.
Jeff Passan's Cubs trade deadline fits mirror Jed Hoyer's biggest debate
Despite their rollercoaster season to this point, the Chicago Cubs are 12 games above .500 at the All-Star break, and in firm control at the top of the Wild Card race. A decent position in the standings shouldn't translate to complacency, however, as Chicago remains well behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. That's going to put plenty of pressure on Jed Hoyer and his front office to supplement the club ahead of the trade deadline.
Cubs draft grades after Jed Hoyer catered to the team's biggest need on Day 1
Despite inconsistent results at the big-league level in recent years, the Cubs have been fairly successful when it comes to drafting under Jed Hoyer (and VP of Scouting Dan Kantrovitz). Hoyer's front office has more or less nailed their early picks in every year since 2022, when they drafted Cade Horton in the top ten. Horton began a series of first-rounders who have immediately shot up prospect boards in the months following their draft.
Cubs 2026 draft rumors are ignoring weakness crippling organization
The days of 2016 and Theo Epstein's Chicago Cubs are long gone, and we're more than half a decade into the Jed Hoyer regime now. The on-field differences are easy to see for Cubs fans, who have long been frustrated by Hoyer's efforts to keep one eye on the future at all times, but there is one place where the Cubs are the same as they've always been: the draft. Epstein's Cubs were famously built around a core of extremely talented position players that came up through the farm system.
Cubs 2026 draft rumors are ignoring weakness crippling organization
Down on the farm. Jed Hoyer and Co. have been on an exhaustive search for pitching depth since the start of the season, and that's led to the Chicago …
Cubs have learned hard lesson about doubting Brewers' fate with injuries
2026 has been a roller coaster for the Chicago Cubs, to say the least. Thanks in no small part to the team finding themselves in the thick of an unusually competitive NL Central division, this year has been full of highs and lows for Chicago. The Cubs' recent escapades highlight the emotional whiplash fans have been put through, as the team recently put up 23 runs against the Padres before laying an egg against St. Louis, who put up 17 runs at Wrigley in the very next game.
2 Cubs players who looked broken are showing needed signs of life at the perfect time
Despite a loss to Jacob Misiorowski and the Brewers on Friday night, the Chicago Cubs have managed to turn things around after their lengthy skid throughout May and early June. Their recent sweep of the Mets put them more firmly in the thick of the NL wild card race, and despite a truly unbelievable number of pitching injuries they seem to be trucking along with a real shot at October baseball. They've even added David Peterson to the mix in their first buy-side trade of the year.
This Sonny Gray trade package will satisfy Cubs, ignite Red Sox reset
The Chicago Cubs may have had a rough go of it in recent weeks as they've fallen farther out of the division race, but their struggles pale in comparison to those of the Red Sox in Boston. They're dead last in their division, 14.5 games out of first place in the AL East, and more than ten games under .500. Things reached a boiling point for Boston when they were walked off by the Rockies in deeply embarrassing fashion earlier this week, leaving them as one of the league's most obvious sellers.
2 Cubs prospects the NY Mets could still get for Freddy Peralta, 2 they have no chance at
The New York Mets are falling further and further out of the playoff picture at this point, and it's hard to imagine them being able to turn things around enough over the next few weeks to avoid a sell-off. That's meant David Stearns and the front office should begin considering a number of players the club might trade, and a variety of potential suitors. One particular fit between another club and one of the Mets' players has been getting buzz for months: Freddy Peralta and the Cubs.
1 NY Mets player the Cubs and every other NL Central team should try to trade for
While the trade deadline is still more than a month away, the New York Mets are already on the verge of sticking a fork in their 2026 season. The struggles and failures the Mets' players and staff this season are well-documented at this point, so there's little to do other than look ahead to what figures to be a significant sell-off of shorter-term (and perhaps even some longer-term) assets this summer.
Cubs have every reason to dismiss insane Red Sox Matt Shaw trade idea
After the Chicago Cubs signed Alex Bregman away from the Red Sox during the offseason, trade speculation surrounding Matt Shaw immediately blew up. That was an understandable reaction to Shaw's position being taken over by a veteran All-Star on a five-year contract, and the trade rumors only grew louder when the Cubs signed Nico Hoerner to an extension. Despite all the smoke around a trade, however, the Cubs decided to hold onto Shaw and plug him into a utility role on their bench.
2 former Cubs prospects flourishing with their new team, 2 who have cratered
With the trade deadline just over a month away (and Jed Hoyer's front office already getting some deals done), the Chicago Cubs are sure to be swinging plenty of trades in the coming weeks. Whether they're looking to buy another starting pitcher or two to gear up for the stretch run or they fall out of the race and find themselves shopping someone like Seiya Suzuki, there will be prospects shuffling in or out of the Cubs farm system in the near future.
Cubs can't brush aside growing Seiya Suzuki trade rumors thanks to Jeff Passan
The Chicago Cubs have finally managed to start turning things around after their May swoon carried into the early days of June. They've put a little distance between themselves and .500 at this point and find themselves back in the thick of the NL Wild Card race despite the Brewers' fairly commanding lead in the NL Central. Between the team's still-decent record and high expectations heading into the season, the default assumption remains that the Cubs will buy at this summer's trade deadline.
3 Seiya Suzuki trade packages that signal success for Cubs' deflating trade deadline approach
When the best thing that can be said about the Chicago Cubs' recent performance is that they avoided getting swept by the lowly Rockies, you know the team is in dire straits. Things have taken a dark turn on the north side of Chicago, where the Cubs are starting to look like they might belong on the south side. The possibility of the Cubs selling this summer rather than buying must be considered at this point.
Once obvious Cubs' trade chip now may be key to reshaping their roster
It's no secret that the Chicago Cubs are in a bad spot right now, and third baseman Alex Bregman admitted as much when he took responsibility for the team's recent failures. The team's struggles on offense are extremely well-documented at this point, and the injuries on the pitching side just don't stop coming. The twin ten-game win streaks that provided fans with so much optimism early in the season are a distant memory, and ten consecutive series without winning one is a bleak state of affairs.
3 steps the Cubs must take right now to avoid another depressing rebuild
Things have not been going well for the Chicago Cubs in recent weeks. The team's two ten-game win streaks from earlier this year feel like a distant memory, as the team has collapsed to the point where they've begun to flirt with .500 rather than a playoff spot. The league is starting to take notice of Chicago's struggles, and the Cubs have offered fans little reason for optimism as of late.
Latest Freddy Peralta rumor makes a Cubs pursuit feel unlikelier than ever
The Chicago Cubs have been connected to right-hander Freddy Peralta for months now, thanks to the New York Mets' season crashing and burning early as well as the team's obvious need for rotation help. The price of such a deal appears to be steep, however, and he's not the only starting pitcher the Cubs should be considering making a run at this summer if they remain in contention come the trade deadline.
Familiar Red Sox arm could be top Tarik Skubal alternative if Cubs are buyers
The Chicago Cubs have been struggling for over a month now, and when the team's record is flirting dangerously with .500 at this point it's hard to have much confidence in the direction of the team for the remainder of the season. Continued struggles would surely make buying at this summer's trade deadline more or less untenable, but Jed Hoyer and his front office are nonetheless tasked with planning for all possibilities, including those where the Cubs turn their season around.
2 Dodgers prospects the NY Mets should target for Freddy Peralta, 2 they shouldn't
Not much has gone right for the Mets this year, with superstars Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto both having missed time this year while the rest of the team has struggled significantly. That's left the club near the bottom of the National League and completely buried in their division, making them one of the most obvious sellers in the majors at this point. Whatever hopes fans may have had of Kodai Senga saving this team are dashed at this point, leaving little reason for optimism.
A reunion with a former Cubs trade deadline hit is the last thing this team needs
2026 has been a roller coaster for Chicago Cubs fans, with the highs of two 10-game win streaks giving way to a brutal slump over the past few weeks. Between a power outage in the lineup and brutal injuries up and down the pitching staff, there's not been a lot going right on the north side lately. That's caused fans to look for ways to shake up the team that go beyond the returns of Edward Cabrera and Matthew Boyd. Meanwhile, an old friend has suddenly become available.
One key missing ingredient is holding this Cubs team back at the worst possible time
The month of May was a rough one for the Chicago Cubs, as the team went just 13-16 and now finds itself closer to .500 than a playoff spot. The story of the team's season so far has been pitching injuries, so recent positive updates on the recovery timelines of Edward Cabrera and Matthew Boyd may prove crucial in turning around. Even so, the Cubs' slumping offense has been just as significant of a culprit in recent weeks.
Just how good Ben Brown has been for the Cubs this year might shock you
Not a lot has gone the Chicago Cubs' way this year between a litany of pitching injuries and a recent slump that sent them from the top of the NL Central back down to the frustratingly familiar territory of looking up at Milwaukee in the standings. It's enough to have Cubs fans ruminating on offseason regrets, but that doesn't mean there aren't still some important bright spots on this team that have helped keep them from falling even further behind.
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