MLB Trade Rumors: Cubs Linked To 3 Elite Trade Candidates

The Chicago Cubs still have a lead atop the NL Central Division, but with the state of their starting rotation, they'll need to make a big move to shore it up to hold on to their lofty status.

Cade Horton, Rookie of the Year runner-up last season, is out for the year, former ace Justin Steele won't be taking the mound until at least after the All-Star break, and now Matthew Boyd just had surgery for a left meniscus injury.

They're keeping any potential starting pitcher that could be on the trade block on their radar. And according to insider Robert Murray of Fansided, they need to go "all-in" asap.

"After losing so many starters to injury, the organization wanted to give the internal options a chance to establish themselves. But in a season that has World Series aspirations, GM Jed Hoyer and the front office should take a big swing and add a frontline starter."

Here are 3 top options he lists for the Cubs:

Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants

Aside from the shocking way they've handled the LA Dodgers this season, the Giants are having another mediocre campaign, and their playoff chances seem to range between slim and none in a tough NL West. Former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray is a top left-hander in the game, and owns a 3.04 ERA this season. He's a pending free agent after the year, and they could get a nice package in return for him, even as a rental, and the Cubs could be just the team to give it to them.

Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins

Another top starter on a team that's going nowhere. However, unlike Ray, Ryan is still under team control for one more year. But if the Twins want to maximize their return before he hits free agency, trading him now would be the best move.

"He’s one of the most dependable right-handed arms in baseball and was a popular target at last season’s deadline," writes Murray, and that wouldn't change come this July. The Cubs should see what it would cost them, prospect-wise.

Freddy Peralta, NY Mets

If the Mets & Peralta can't come to terms on an extension—which seems more and more likely by the day—he'll be one and done in Queens. With the team having a dreadful season, they should be proactive and trade him as a rental to a team looking for a big rotation boost for a potential long playoff run: The Cubbies fit that bill. They are quite familiar with what Peralta can do from his time battling against them in the NL Central for eight years.

Murray even feels the Mets could trade Fastball Freddy and still be competitive in free agency to win him back:

"It would be a tough pill to swallow, but considering (Mets GM) David Stearns’ relationship with Peralta (he’s also traded for him twice), dealing him away at the deadline shouldn’t deter the righty from going back to Queens in free agency."