Despite hitting a winning home run Sunday, Victor Caratini might not be on the Cubs' roster if they acquire an experienced backup catcher by Monday's 3 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline.
Justin Grimm and Hector Rondon could have their workloads trimmed if the Cubs add a late-inning reliever.
The latter scenario was building momentum hours after that threesome helped produce a 4-2 victory over the Brewers that helped the Cubs (56-48) extend their lead in the National League Central to 2 { games.
The Cubs' pursuit of Justin Wilson of the Tigers has intensified, although one source said they weren't exclusively bound to the left-hander, who has 13 saves in 15 chances with a 2.68 ERA and won't be eligible for free agency until after 2018.
Infielder Jeimer Candelario, one of the Cubs' top prospects, did not start Sunday night for Triple-A Iowa, and neither did outfielder Mark Zagunis. Candelario, 23, is a switch-hitter who can play third and first base, but his path is blocked by Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo.
Zagunis, 24, has 12 homers and 50 RBIs for Iowa, although two scouts who watched him during a brief stint with the Cubs last month believed he needs to be more aggressive at the plate.
Nevertheless, the Cubs are determined to upgrade their late-inning relief and backup catcher positions as they try to shore up their second consecutive division title and fortify their roster in the event they reach the postseason.
"We're confident with what we have, and we're confident in the front office," Rizzo said. "If they're going to do something, it's going to help us."
Among the catchers believed to be available are Alex Avila of the Tigers, A.J. Ellis of the Marlins and Rene Rivera of the Mets. A low-cost consideration is Tim Federowicz, who played 17 games for the Cubs last year, is familiar with most of the pitching staff and is batting .289 at Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants organization.
Caratini, 23, who took the place of departed Miguel Montero, looked polished as he hit his first major-league home run _ a tiebreaking shot in the seventh _ and played flawlessly in his first start at first base.
"I'm going to keep going about my business and do what I can to stay there," Caratini said. "It's out of my control what they're thinking."
Grimm and Rondon retired all six batters they faced in the seventh and eighth, as Maddon preferred to stay away from using Carl Edwards Jr., Pedro Strop and Koji Uehara because of their recent workloads.
Wilson, 29, could give manager Joe Maddon the late-inning versatility he craves. Right-handed batters are batting .131 against Wilson and left-handers .220. Wilson also could take over as closer in 2018 if Wade Davis departs via free agency.
The Cubs likely will wait until this winter to put more resources into a cost-control starter. John Lackey pitched six innings of five-hit ball to preserve most of a fatigued bullpen.
"We always knew there was talent," Lackey said of the Cubs' 13-3 run in the second half.
The chance of landing an available marquee starter seems remote since the quality of the Cubs' minor-league talent took a hit when they traded top prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease to the White Sox to acquire Jose Quintana 2 { weeks ago.
