Chicago Cubs Rumors: 3 Early-Season Trade Candidates

Welcome to Baseball Rumors' Early-Season Trade Candidates series. During it, we will be looking at three players who are already emerging as trade candidates during the beginning portion of the campaign.

In this latest episode, we will be focusing on the Chicago Cubs.

Ian Happ: If the Cubs are out of the playoff race by the deadline, expect to see Ian Happ on the move. The All-Star outfielder is a pending unrestricted free agent and could net the Cubs a nice return as a rental before the deadline passes.

Michael Fulmer: Michael Fulmer is another Cub who could be on the move this season. Like Happ, he is a pending UFA, and several teams would love to acquire him. Playoff teams are always looking for bullpen help, and Fullman would provide them with just that if acquired.

Eric Hosmer: Eric Hosmer is hoping to turn things around as a Cub in 2023. If he does just that, there's a good chance that he will be moved before the deadline if the Cubs are not a playoff team by then. There would be a market for him, too, as he only is making $720,000 for the season, so he is easily affordable.