Change is coming to the Cubs.

President Theo Epstein threatened to make changes if they don’t improve.

But for now, the Cubs remain tied for first place in the National League Central despite a 22-28 record during a 52-day stretch.

Here are some factors to consider as they try to bolster their roster and regain their command of the division with the July 31 trade deadline approaching:

What are their needs? General manager Jed Hoyer said Monday the Cubs are looking at “everything.”

But the cost of starting pitching while Cole Hamels recovers from a left oblique strain might be prohibitive. And the Cubs have enough internal options and days off to maximize their talent until Hamels returns — perhaps by the first half of August.

The most obvious needs are left-handed relief and a seasoned utility player.

In past seasons, the Cubs have added speedsters such as Quintin Berry, Leonys Martin and Terrance Gore. But those acquisitions occurred before the Aug. 31 second trade deadline, which no longer exists.

Who’s available? The name of Sean Doolittle of the Nationals has flashed like a neon light since May. Same for Will Smith and Tony Watson of the Giants.

Left-hander Brad Hand, whom the Cubs scouted last summer before he was dealt from the Padres to the Indians, could be available again.

The Cubs addressed two needs two years ago with the acquisition of backup catcher Alex Avila and left-hander Justin Wilson (now with the Mets) from the Tigers, who remain in a rebuild mode.

Luis Avilan rejoined the Mets after a two-month stint on the injured list because of a left elbow injury, so he could serve as low-cost insurance if he’s healthy and as effective as he was in 2017 with the Dodgers.

Manager Joe Maddon has spoken often about a midseason acquisition needing to be a significant improvement to maintain clubhouse harmony, but Epstein and Co. possess the final say on trades.

Should the Cubs simply try to add another quality right-handed reliever, Kirby Yates of the Padres, Sam Dyson of the Giants and Mychal Givens of the Orioles deserve consideration.

For all the criticism the Cubs received for dealing Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease to the White Sox for left-hander Jose Quintana, they shouldn’t shy away from considering versatile Leury Garcia.

What do those targets’ contracts look like? The Nationals are in the thick of the NL wild-card race, so Doolittle appears destined to stay. Hand will earn $7 million in 2020, plus a $10 million option with a $1 million buyout in 2021.

Watson’s contract includes a $500,000 player buyout if he doesn’t pick up the $2.5 million option for 2020.

The Cubs’ 40-man roster currently has no wiggle room, and they could rely heavily on reinforcements from within their organization. Carl Edwards Jr., who has been effective against left-handed hitters, could be activated from the injured list in time for Saturday’s game against the White Sox.

Reliever Allen Webster recently started a minor-league rehab assignment and possesses a sharp slider. Left-hander Danny Hultzen’s fastball has been clocked at 97 mph at Triple-A Iowa, but he is on the injured list and must prove he can remain healthy before he’s considered for a promotion.

A firm commitment from Ben Zobrist on returning could lessen the need for an experienced hitter while helping the Cubs’ younger hitters, who call him “Bennie Pro.”

Which Cubs are expendable? This might be the time for the Cubs to trade a member of their current 25-man roster to address a need.

Left-hander Mike Montgomery’s undefined role has affected his performance, and he might be better suited for another organization if the Cubs feel strongly about Adbert Alzolay and Tyler Chatwood as contenders for their 2020 rotation.

Mark Zagunis, Carlos Gonzalez and Robel Garcia have had stints with the major-league team, but Ian Happ remains stuck in Iowa. Montgomery’s and Happ’s stock isn’t high, but the Cubs might need to cut their losses if they see an upside to a similar talent in another organization.

The Cubs have been unafraid to deal top prospects Gleyber Torres, Jimenez and Cease in deadline deals. Signing two catchers during the international free-agent signing period raises curiosity as to what top catching prospect Miguel Amaya could fetch in a deal.

“We have a lot of prospects who have taken a big step forward, no doubt,” Hoyer said Monday. “So I certainly know we have plenty of assets that other teams have asked about.

“We’re certainly not where we were in 2015 (in terms of prospect depth), but I definitely feel things are on the upswing, and we feel good about the progress we made.”