The Chicago Cubs are currently in a position to make the postseason as a wild card team, but they still have a chance to pass the Milwaukee Brewers to win the division.
The Cubs have some clear needs to address at the trade deadline, and closer is one of them. Daniel Palencia is on the injured list for the second time this season, and Jacob Webb is serving as the closer. Webb is not bad, posting a 2.91 ERA in 44 games. He has never finished more than 15 games in a season and is already at 14 this year. He already has a new career high of four saves.
While Palencia could return and Webb is a capable closer, the Cubs could benefit from adding a proven option. Josh Hader of the Houston Astros could be a player they target. Craig Counsell was Hader's manager in Milwaukee, and he would provide a reliable ninth-inning option for the Cubs.
Hader has looked dominant since returning from his biceps injury. In 20 games, he has a 1.47 ERA and 11 saves. He already has 29 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings of work. He is set to make $19 million in each of the next two seasons.
The Astros are within striking distance of a postseason spot, so they may not be having a fire sale. However, they likely know that Hader could net them valuable assets and get some money off the books. He is a six-time All-Star and a three-time Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year.
Hader is not going to be cheap, especially if the Cubs are trying to pry him away from a team interested in making a postseason push. However, considering the Boston Red Sox's turnaround and the projected asking price for Mason Miller, Hader may be the Cubs' best bet if they want a game-changing closer.