Chicago fans brace for MLB trade deadline

The Cubs and White Sox didn't wait for Tuesday's MLB trade deadline to decide to either reload for a postseason run or wave the white flag on the 2024 season .

Driving the news: The Cubs sent mixed signals this weekend, trading fan favorite Christopher Morel to Tampa Bay.

Yes, but: They received All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes in return, which is a significant upgrade for the North Siders.

Zoom in: With the move to trade Morel, the Cubs are looking like buyers. That may mean that some of the younger talent on this team could be moved to help solidify the team's biggest weakness: the bullpen.

• Think Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nick Madrigal and Matt Mervis.

The other side: The White Sox waved the white flag back in April, so it's not surprising they traded journeymen Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham to the Cardinals and sent reliever Michael Kopech to the Dodgers.

• Kopech was once heralded as the future of the franchise, but he never found his footing in Chicago.
• The Sox get three infield prospects in return.

Here are more players who could be gone by Tuesday:

Garrett Crochet: The Sox ace took the league by surprise with a great first half, so naturally, the Sox are rumored to be floating him. He wants a big contract extension that seemed to have riled up management, who aren't in the market to add payroll.

Nico Hoerner: The Cubs second baseman hasn't played well this year, but may be available as teams like the Atlanta Braves shop for mid-season replacements for injured stars. Hoerner can play several positions, which gives him flexibility.

• He wouldn't be cheap, since he still has two years on his contract.

Paul DeJong: The Sox collected journeymen at the beginning of the season hoping they might provide value at the deadline. Fedde and Pham have already been dealt, so DeJong may be next.

Cody Bellinger: Bellinger hasn't lived up to his big contract, but his playoff and World Series experience could motivate a contender to buy high. The left-handed batter is coming off the injury list soon and he can play multiple positions. The Cubs may hold onto him for that same reason.

Luis Robert Jr.: The only viable star on the White Sox right now, he'd fetch a huge haul in return. He's not due for a new contract until 2027, so the Sox could also take their time moving the young star.

• Yes, but: The Sox have already alienated their fan base with one of the worst seasons in Major League history, so dealing the fan favorite might not work.

Patrick Wisdom: The low-cost power hitter could give the Cubs a bargaining chip in trying to secure relievers. He doesn't really have a place in the lineup right now, but when he does play he's hitting bombs.

Eloy Jiménez: Just a couple of years ago, Jiménez would be nowhere near trade talks. But after a disappointing, injury-plagued start to his career, Jiménez is on the chopping block. The problem for the Sox is that he may not be sought after. When healthy, he can hit, but can't field, and worse, can't run.

• So unless they want to drop him for next to nothing, he may be in a Sox uniform on Wednesday.

Jameson Taillon: The Cubs starting pitcher hasn't lived up to expectations since coming over last year and the Cubs are deep at the position. Taillon could be traded for depth and it wouldn't hurt the team's second half chances.