Answering some questions as trade deadline nears

As Sunday's trade deadline approaches, here are answers to the top questions in baseball:

Question: Now that the Cubs have reportedly acquired lefty closer Aroldis Chapman in a trade from the Yankees, will that make them the odds-on favorite to be the National League champion, and what can the Nationals do to counter the move?

Answer: Yes, at this point, the Cubs have the strongest bullpen in the league. If the Cubs and Nationals meet in the postseason, the Nationals' Bryce Harper is going to be seeing a lot of Chapman. The trade was made with that matchup in mind. Chapman, who has been throwing 104 and 105 mph, will take over the closer's role for Hector Rondon, who will pitch the eighth inning. The Cubs also have another new lefty, Mike Montgomery, acquired from Seattle, in the bullpen along with Pedro Strop and Carl Edwards Jr. And, yes, given the souped-up bullpen, the Cubs are the favorites, although that tag doesn't mean much. The Nationals were in on Chapman, but they didn't match the steep price of four players the Cubs gave the Yankees for a two-month rental. With Jonathan Papelbon's meltdown Sunday and Chapman going to the Cubs, it was a double-whammy of bad turns for the Nationals. But, there are closers on the market, and the Nationals might be wise to call Kansas City and ask about closer Wade Davis, who has saved 21 of 23 with 1.10 ERA. The Royals, defending World Series champions, aren't going anywhere this year, and Davis could be traded for future pieces. There's also Pittsburgh's Mark Melancon (30 of 33), Philadelphia's Jenmar Gomez (26 of 29) and Seattle's Steve Cishek (23 of 28).

Q: Are the Miami Marlins a serious threat to challenge the Nationals in the National League East?

A: The Marlins have a solid offense and a strong bullpen and defense, but it's difficult to see how their rotation will hold up. They are looking for a starter in the trade market, but they might need more than one. Ace Jose Fernandez has been great, but after Tommy John surgery, he's at 120 innings, double what he threw last year. Former Oriole Wei-Yin Chen has struggled, especially when he gets to the sixth inning when his fastball velocity drops three or four miles per hour. Tom Koehler is average. Jarred Cosart is up from pitching most of the year in the minors and Jose Urena made his first career start Sunday. By the way, the Marlins have six games left with the Nationals, all during the final two weeks of the season.

Q: Are the Mets going to make a trade and challenge, much like last season, when they picked up Yoenis Cespedes?

A: It's not likely. The Mets' biggest additions could be first baseman Lucas Duda, out since May 23 with a back injury, and starter Zack Wheeler, coming back from Tommy John surgery. Starter Matt Harvey is out for the season. Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz are pitching with bone spurs, and the Mets have concerns that Jacob deGrom's fastball is losing velocity because of fatigue.

Q: Mark Trumbo has 30 home runs for the Orioles. How many others on the team can reach 30 home runs this season?

A: The Orioles could become the 13th team in history to have four players with at least 30 home runs. Chris Davis has 22, Manny Machado 20, Adam Jones 17 and Jonathan Schoop 16. The last NL team to do it was the 2008 Phillies with Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley. The last AL club to do it was the 2006 White Sox with Joe Crede, Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, and Jim Thome. The 1977 Dodgers, with Nationals manager Dusty Baker, did it as well. Baker, Ron Cey, Steve Garvey and Reggie Smith were the four Dodgers to do it. Baker was the final Dodger to reach 30 when he hit one against Houston's J.R. Richard.

Q: What's going on with the Red Sox's David Price?

A: The Red Sox can't figure out their $217 million lefty, and while they added Drew Pomeranz in a trade from San Diego, the Red Sox are going to struggle in the final two months if Price doesn't right the ship. He's given up eight runs and 22 hits in his first two starts since the All-Star break. The Red Sox are 10-11 in games he's started. The Red Sox are looking for even more pitching, but Tampa Bay's Chris Archer and the Chicago White Sox's aren't going to come cheaply.

Q: Are the Cleveland Indians, leaders in the AL Central, for real?

A: Even though they had a tough series over the weekend in Camden Yards, the Indians' starting pitching is for real and they should win the division. In the trade market, they are looking for a lefty reliever, a power bat and a catcher, given that Yan Gomes is injured.