On paper, it looks like the Chicago Cubs need to make pitching their priority this trade deadline. However, once you look at the bigger picture, it would make much more sense for the team to go after offensive weapons before July 31.

After all, it’s the rotation that has carried them for most of the season. The team has a collective ERA of 3.31, which is good enough for fifth in all of MLB.

Meanwhile, the lineup has really struggled for long stretches. Chicago’s offense ranks 23rd in scoring offense with 335 runs (roughly 3.9 runs per game) and is fourth-to-last in team batting average at .239.

It makes sense that people talk about the Cubs needing pitching; after starters Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel, there’s a major drop off. However, the recent play of No. 4 starter Kyle Hendricks has been encouraging enough to quell some of the fears surrounding the rotation.

Hendricks, who was a stellar 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA last season, has rebounded from a rough start to 2015. In his last 20.1 innings, he has allowed just 13 hits while yielding zero runs. Those starts were against the New York Mets, Miami Marlins and Chicago White Sox, none of which have high-powered offenses, but it’s still encouraging.

That, mixed with the fact that Chicago can add top-of-the-rotation pitching this offseason, means the Cubs should shift their attention to the talent pool of hitters available this trade deadline. The Cubs will have to pick from a list of outfielders since they have all team-controlled, young hitters playing in the infield.

Some names on that list could include Ben Zobrist, Gerardo Parra, Justin Upton and Carlos Gonzalez. That doesn’t mean the team is limited to those options, but those are some of the top names rumored to be available this deadline.

If the team wants to stay conservative, they could deal for Zobrist or Parra. If the front office wants to make more of a splash, they could pursue Upton or Gonzalez. Zobrist is a utility man who gets on base consistently, but hits for little power. He has also played for Cubs manager Joe Maddon in Tampa Bay. Parra is a stellar defensive outfielder who is also a pretty good on-base guy.

Upton is a force in the middle of the lineup and would be the biggest splash of these potential deals, but he would also be the least likely acquisition. The Cubs are unlikely to give up a big package of prospects when they’re essentially competing for the chance at a road one-game playoff. Gonzalez is also a reach for the same reasons as Upton, but he would give the team a left-handed power threat to go with established star Anthony Rizzo in the order.

It’s unclear how the Cubs plan to attack the trade market, but they need more help if they’re going to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Sure, some extra pitching would help. But with their offense struggling to score runs consistently, acquiring a hitter should be the priority.