PITTSBURGH – Pete Crow-Armstrong knows what happens at this time of year.
He knows additions are likely coming the Cubs’ way at the trade deadline.
That’s what happened last year, even if fans were underwhelmed by the multiple moves Jed Hoyer’s front office made, work that was particularly colored after the fact by the team’s briefer-than-hoped stay in the postseason.
Whether Hoyer decides to go big or makes smaller moves that earn gripes from the fan base, there will almost surely be newcomers on the Cubs’ roster come Aug. 4, the day after the deadline.
Crow-Armstrong, the MVP candidate who hopes to achieve this team’s championship-level goals as much as anyone, is ready for it.
He’s also ready to see what this group can do when the lights get really, really bright in October.
What’s his outlook for the rest of the season?
“I love this team,” he said after a four-hit game in Saturday’s win over the Pirates. “That’s my outlook. … I love who’s in this clubhouse, just because every single person in here has shown they’re up for the challenge.
“If we go get pieces, that’s only going to help us, because of the way that we’re playing and what we’re capable of as this current clubhouse. There are a lot of big things that we can achieve with this group.”
It’s hard to argue with what the Cubs have been doing; they’ve got a 25-12 record since June 11.
Coming into Sunday, no team had scored more runs (226), drawn more walks (161), reached base at a higher clip (.351) than the Cubs in that span.
Add in the Gold Glove defense that’s winning games and a pitching staff that’s getting contributions from both expected and unexpected sources, and the Cubs have recently looked like what their record says they are: one of the best teams in baseball.
Crow-Armstrong, of course, has been at the heart of it all, combining home-run barrages with dramatically improved on-base skills and best-in-baseball defense in center field. As of Sunday morning, his 7.0 fWAR was far and away the most among position players.
Yet, with all that’s going well – even with the team still dogged by pitching injuries – there could be a lot riding on what Hoyer & Co. do (or don’t do) at the trade deadline, and all eyes will be on the Cubs’ front office, with fans hoping its work solidifies this team as a championship contender.
That work figures to focus on pitching, a need emphasized after veteran righty Jameson Taillon got rocked Sunday in an 8-7 loss to the Pirates. He gave up three more home runs to jack his season total up to 25; only one pitcher in baseball started the day with more dingers allowed.
The Cubs have lost all but one of the last eight games he’s started.
Hoyer has talked up a position-player group he believes can win a lot of games in October. But it’s tough to win in October with a starter giving up multiple home runs each time out, adding to the team’s need.
A year ago, the Cubs’ pitching depth was part of the reason they were ushered out of the playoffs by the Brewers. Chasing that same Brewers team in the NL Central standings, an influx of pitching would go a long way toward stabilizing an injury-ravaged staff, a necessity if the depth is going to be there this year.
But any additions could still be as far as a week away.
In the meantime, Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs are excited about embarking on the road to the World Series with the guys currently in Cubs uniforms, the ones who will most likely be driving the bus to what they hope is late October.
“Whatever the front office does, I assume it’ll probably just help our cause,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I’m excited to welcome anybody that finds themselves in a Cub uniform. But for now and until the deadline, I love what we’ve got, and I love what we’re doing.”