The Chicago Cubs are the favorites to be the 2016 World Series champions. The problem, of course, is that there are a couple of holes on this team and they are all in the bullpen. Right now the key pieces in the pen are former starters Travis Wood and Adam Warren.

When you look at the Cubs, you can’t miss the power hitters and starting pitching. Through the offseason signing of Ben Zobrist, the Cubs made Javier Baez and Arismendy Alcantara expendable. Now the Cubs must consider trading Baez for a couple of power bullpen arms.

The Cubs lack a lefty specialist, relying on Wood and another former starter in Clayton Richard.  Richard may be able to serve in this role with a .234 AVG against lefties last year, but it isn’t a role he has done in the past.

Another issue is the low strikeout rate among the relievers beyond Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop. The Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants have proven the past two postseasons that power arms win in the playoffs. The Cubs are a power arm short of winning games started the playoffs not started by Jake Arrieta. John Lackey and Jon Lester are both elite starters, but both tend to ease off the high pitch counts in the postseason.

This is where Baez comes into the picture. As an everyday, power-hitting middle infielder, Baez should bring the two pitchers back that the Cubs need to make the playoff run they so desperately desire. He is the best option to get what they need.

Trading Baez is a bold move. The Cubs are in need of a move to transition them from favorites to the destined. Moving Baez for a pair of relievers could do the trick.