The Chicago Cubs are among the top-fielding teams in MLB. “When you have a good defense, you start to realize how important it is,” Craig Counsell said.

The Cubs are going shopping this summer, but any move figures to cost them young talent from their highly rated farm system, risky business as the front office tries to think about now and the years to come.

Clippers starter Doug Nikhazy (5-6) allowed four run son five hits in 4⅔ innings. He struck out two and walked three.

MLB.com staff released each team’s likely trade deadline strategy with less than two weeks remaining. Obviously, the Cubs will focus on starting pitching going forward, with the potential of adding bullpen pieces and a third base upgrade.

The Chicago Cubs need to add a third baseman and a pitcher. They could kill two birds with one stone in a huge trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Boston Red Sox visit the Chicago Cubs Saturday evening for the second game of their 3-game series at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 26th homer, one of five solo shots for the Cubs to back seven sharp innings by Shota Imanaga, and Chicago beat the Boston Red Sox 6-0.

Two and a half years ago, the Cubs signaled that the rebuild was over and they were getting serious about winning by signing Swanson to a seven-year deal worth $177 million.