According to a report from Bruce Levine, the Cubs are interested in veteran outfielder Sam Fuld.
Sam Fuld was selected by the Cubs in the 10th round of the 2004 draft. Fuld broke in with the Cubs in September 2007 and was sent to Tampa Bay in January 2011 along with Chris Archer, Hak-Ju Lee, Robinson Chirinos and Brandon Guyer for Matt Garza, Fernando Perez and Zac Rosscup.
Sam Fuld played 268 games over three seasons in Tampa under manager Joe Maddon. Fuld was non-tendered in December 2013 and signed a minor league contract with the Oakland A’s in February 2014. After a brief stint in Minnesota, he was traded back to Oakland at the deadline last July.
Sam Fuld has really struggled at the plate this season. Fuld has hit .206/.285/.304 in 90 games with 12 doubles, three triples and a home run for a .588 OPS. Against right-handed pitching, Fuld has put together a .223/.294/.321 line this year.
For his career, Sam Fuld has a .229/.308/.327 slash line against right handers with a .635 OPS.
Reports last off-season indicated the Cubs were interested in trading for Sam Fuld as the front office looked for veteran outfielders for Joe Maddon.
Fuld has one of club control left and is not eligible for free agency until after the 2016 season.
The Cubs were looking for a left-handed outfield bat prior to the deadline to possibly platoon with Dexter Fowler and were connected to Gerardo Parra and Will Venable.
Dexter Fowler has rebounded from his first half slump. Fowler has reached base safely in 21 straight games. Fowler is hitting .273/.423/.442 with four doubles, three home runs and a .864 OPS in 20 games since the break.
Jed Hoyer talked to the beat writers prior to Thursday’s game and said the Cubs have put in waiver claims on players.
According to Gordon Wittenmyer, the Cubs have been granted claims but teams have pulled the players back. Hoyer said the Cubs will “remain active seeking August waiver deals.” Hoyer explained that it may be harder this season than in most years to make trades in August because of the amount of teams that are still in the mix for the playoffs. Hoyer “expects more blocking claims than usual.”
Multiple reports have indicated the Cubs will put in a claim for 2B Chase Utley if the Phillies put him on waivers. According to the Sun-Times, Utley is “one of the Cubs’ targets this month.”
The Phillies activated Chase Utley from the disabled list Friday. The Yankees, Angels and Dodgers are also expected to put in a claim for Utley if the Phillies place him on waivers.
It is unclear if Chase Utley would waive his no-trade rights and approve a trade if the Phillies were to work out a deal for him. The acquisition cost for Utley should be minimal if he is placed on waivers.
The front office is not done shaping the roster and there could be additions beyond Javier Baez and Tommy La Stella in the coming weeks.
If the Cubs acquire Sam Fuld from the A’s, Joe Maddon would be reunited with a player that he knows well and how to utilize in order to get the most out of his abilities.