Jed Hoyer has been given the difficult task of keeping the Cubs competitive while also lowering the baseball payroll, something the front office has referred to as “threading the needle.” The good news is that the rest of the NL Central may only be trying to get cheaper, or so it seems at this point.
The Brewers, who’ve magicked their way into contention on the strength of strategic lighting and a lights-out bullpen, could be looking to trade Josh Hader. The Cardinals might be losing veteran leadership and the embodiment of playing the right way — not to mention getting butthurt over nothing — if Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright don’t come back.