Cubs 'preparing for a potential sale' with three players in mind, per insider

The Chicago Cubs have all but publicly declared that they will be sellers leading up to July 30.

Chicago, 41-49, is 11 games back in the division and six games back in a crowded National League Wild Card race. Reasons for optimism are becoming increasingly difficult to conjure for Craig Counsell's club.

Despite the Cubs' grim outlook, President Jed Hoyer is still steadfastly avoiding the seller label. Long-tenured MLB analyst Ken Rosenthal also went on air last week declaring that he still doesn't see the Cubs as sellers.

What exactly is the argument for Chicago to hold, or potentially buy at the deadline? Well, the Cubs were in the same position one year ago before miraculously turning things around. Could they do it again? Time is running out, and Saturday's 7-0 bludgeoning at Wrigley Field from the 37-51 Los Angeles Angels did little to convince anyone that the Cubs are on the verge of a breakthrough.

Last year's turnaround was impressive as much as it was rare, and Chicago is probably fooling itself into thinking that lightning is about to strike twice. Cubs star Cody Bellinger has even gone on the record recently saying that things feel different this year compared to last season.

Bellinger and two other Cubs form a trio of assets that Chicago is expected to receive a ton of calls about over the next three weeks, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale, who reported on Sunday that the Cubs are in trade market limbo.

"The Cubs are telling teams they still remain undecided whether they will be sellers at the trade deadline, but are preparing for a potential sale, with Bellinger, Jameson Taillon and Nico Hoerner expected to draw interest," Nightengale said. "It’s hard to believe how things went south on the Northside after their 17-9 start."

Hoyer might be looking to hold, but the rest of Major League Baseball will continue to view the Cubs as sellers based on their performance. Is it time for Hoyer to take a hint?

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