The Cubs have lost six in a row since the Samardzija/Hammel trade. I suppose that is hardly unexpected news. These guys would be likely to make thirty more starts between them over the remainder of the season. The Cubs could certainly expect to win half of them and more than likely two-thirds. So in reality the team has traded off ten wins given the quality or lack thereof of potential replacements and the quality or lack thereof of the remainders.
Something you do not immediately factor in is the pressure the trade places on the bullpen. This was pretty evident when the Cubs blew a 5-0 lead Tuesday night. Plus this must be pretty demoralizing to the team as a whole given they had been playing fairly well, all things considered, since around the end of May. Looks like another 100 loss season is on the way, 95 for sure.
As for the rest of the team, well, you cannot expect to win much when you do not score at least four runs. Right now the Cubs are lucky to tally one or two with no improvement in sight. Lacking any consistent production from anyone but Rizzo and Castro, it is hard to say where help might come from, at least this year. Lake and Olt are thought to have potential, but they play infrequently and when they do, they strike out all the time. Olt has had some better ABs recently, but Lake should be sent down to get his swing straightened out.
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