As the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches, the Chicago Cubs find themselves caught in a pickle.
Though they are technically in last place, the Cubs aren't out of the hunt for a playoff spot. They're 3.5 games behind the New York Mets for the final National League Wild Card spot with 64 games left to play.
Any team would have a difficult time deciding whether to buy or sell under those conditions. But the Cubs are under increased scrutiny this season, having committed the largest managerial contract in MLB history to first-year skipper Craig Counsell.
As decision time looms, Cubs insider Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reported Thursday that whether the Cubs end up buying or selling is a "fluid situation," and will likely come down to the team's performance over the next two weeks.
"At 47-51, the Cubs can’t afford a no-show homestand against the Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers," Mooney said.
Then, the Cubs will play the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals before the July 30 deadline. And between those four series, Mooney believes the Cubs will have the information they need to make up their minds.
"(Jed) Hoyer’s group will be prepared for all scenarios," Mooney said.
Hoyer, the Cubs' top baseball executive since 2020, is under contract through the 2025 season. Whether or not the Cubs make the playoffs could end up having an outsized impact on his future with the team.
Selling could prove difficult, especially after star outfielder Cody Bellinger suffered a fractured finger on July 10. But that doesn't automatically mean the Cubs must buy, especially given the team's $235 million payroll, just under $2 million from the luxury tax threshold.
So unless there are other factors in play, it appears the Cubs will have everything to play for between now and the end of the month. Win, and the front office could be incentivized to add to the roster. Lose, and it's no guarantee the team will be kept intact.
More MLB: Cubs leaning this direction at trade deadline, according to report
