Yu Darvish may throw off a mound soon, but the Cubs aren't banking completely on his reliability as President Theo Epstein and his staff scour the trade market.
"You can't be overly reliant on somebody who hasn't been able to be healthy and perform this year," Epstein said Sunday morning. "At the same time, you track the rehab closely because you've got to anticipate what he might be able to give you. (Sunday) was his best day in a long time. He threw very well and felt pretty good.
"You factor it in, but if you put yourself in a position to overly rely on something that hasn't been dependable to this point, and it doesn't come through, it's probably more on you than the fates."
Epstein said Darvish threw from a distance of about 135 feet, and he might throw off a mound for the first time since June 28, when recurring discomfort in his right triceps prevented him from rejoining the team. Sunday marked the first time since July 9 that Darvish played catch.
Darvish hasn't pitched in a game since May 20, and he reiterated on July 14 that he has been careful not to push his rehab until the pain has vanished.
While much of the attention has been focused on left-handed reliever Zach Britton of the Orioles, Epstein, speaking in general terms, acknowledged that the Cubs are in a "more difficult position" to make an impact trade.
"I don't think it's impossible," said Epstein, who has acquired marquee closer Aroldis Chapman and left-hander Jose Quintana in each of the past two Julys. "Certain years lend themselves to being able to participate in more hands. And other years _ because of the way your prospects are performing, because of your desire to keep growing the farm system, or the nature of what's available or what you need _ you have to be more selective.
"We're openly pursuing a lot of things, but in terms of what's realistic for us, we have to be a little more targeted and a little more opportunistic. And that's fine. Sometimes those end up being the best deals."
The Cubs will remain involved in a spectrum of talks but "knowing most of the stuff we talk about we won't be able to get done," Epstein said. "I think we'll make some move. We'll probably make some move before July 31 _ and almost definitely make a move before Sept. 1."
