Things are beginning to feel like 2016 all over again in Chicago.
The beloved Chicago Cubs entered the All-Star break 57-39, good for a season-best 18 games over .500 and the best record they’ve had at the break since 2016, when they won the World Series.
To some, though, the Cubs still may not have enough firepower to compete with the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter spoke Monday about the Cubs’ success this season and what they will need to do prior to the trade deadline to hope even the playing field with the Dodgers.
“Everyone asks, are the Cubs a contender? Of course they are,” Jeter said during FOX Sports’ MLB All-Star coverage. “If you’re the Chicago Cubs you have to sit back over the next couple weeks before the playoffs and sit and say, are we good enough to beat the Dodgers in the postseason. If not, you’ve got to go out and get something. Even if you think you are, you’ve still got to go out and get something.”
Are the Cubs the best team in the National League?@derekjeter tells us if that is the case pic.twitter.com/R5Xqf2bGIu
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 14, 2025
Jeter certainly makes a good point, as Chicago currently trails Los Angeles by a half-game for the best record in the National League.
The two teams have already completed their season series and that saw the Cubs take four out of seven games from the Dodgers.
It would appear that the Chicago front office is very aware of the need to improve at the trade deadline.
It has been noted several times that Chicago is interested in trying to acquire at least one if not two starting pitchers such as Mitch Keller, Edward Cabrera or Lucas Giolito.
The Cubs & the Pirates have been engaged in serious trade talks regarding RHP Mitch Keller for more than a week, per @BNightengale. Keller is currently in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract. pic.twitter.com/0Vh9XjdsaW
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) June 29, 2025
Improving the rotation is certainly a starting point, but it is likely that the Cubs will need to improve a couple other areas of the team to have a real chance of knocking off the reigning World Series champions.
More MLB: Yankees Urged To Reunite With $67 Million Pitcher In ‘Emergency Trade’
The post Hall of Fame Shortstop Urges Cubs to Make Moves Prior to Trade Deadline appeared first on Newsweek.
