The Chicago Cubs have made a handful of trades this month with an eye on the future, but the moves have had an unexpected effect on the current roster.
"Guys that were just laying low are coming on strong," Travis Wood said.
Chicago has traded Scott Feldman, Carlos Marmol, Matt Garza and Alfonso Soriano.
"It's still kind of early because the trades are pretty fresh," Wood said. "But I always feel trades make teams closer, because you see guys moving. Especially trading away a leader like (Soriano). It kind of pulls us together. We have to lead this thing and do everything we can to win ballgames."