As the 2022 Trade Deadline looms, hope perishes for the 2022 Cubs’ season.
Over a year ago, the Cubs dealt away its three core stars, and they’re bound to do it again.
Willson Contreras, Ian Happ, and David Robertson have consistently existed in trade talks, but a few other names have risen.
In fact, veteran reliever Chris Martin was the first Cub to be traded to a contender.
Martin, a 36-year-old, seven-year veteran pitcher, was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for utility player Zach McKinstry.
McKinstry was drafted by the Dodgers in 2016 and eventually made his debut in August 2020. In 2021 and 2022, he appeared in 70 games on the big-league roster while splitting time with the Oklahoma City AAA Dodgers.
As the ultimate utility player, McKinstry has played at six different positions with the Dodgers this season.
As mentioned before, Willson Contreras is a perfect fit for many teams hoping to contend for a championship. Contreras is a veteran, playoff-experienced catcher who is in his prime.
Contreras has been a three-time All-Star catcher with the Cubs. Two teams have been discussed as the favorites for Contreras’ services: the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets. Jorge Alfaro is the starting catcher for the Padres. He has been an above-average hitter this season but is nowhere near Contreras’ level.
Alfaro made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 but is in his first season with the Padres.
Adding Contreras to the mix would add greater depth to one of the most challenging positions in the sport. With an addition like Contreras, the Padres’ catchers’ hitting numbers would significantly improve.
With the Padres all in on superstar outfielder Juan Soto, the move for Contreras seems unlikely unless they fail to acquire Soto. Snagging both players during the trade deadline would shake the league and their farm system.
Ian Happ is having one of his best seasons to date, drawing attention from contending teams.
Happ’s trade rumors haven’t been as strong as Contreras’, but Happ is a perfect fit for a championship-caliber team, similar to Contreras. Happ made his first All-Star appearance this season, but he’s played All-Star-caliber baseball since his debut in 2017. Much of his improvement this season has come from the right side of the batter’s box.
Happ, an experienced switch hitter, has dominated lefty pitchers. He’s batting an impressive .346 as a right-handed hitter this season.
Throughout his career, his batting average has been nearly one hundred points lower as a right-handed hitter.
Come early this week, Happ could no longer be a member of the Chicago Cubs.
David Robertson is the final Cub gaining lots of attention from other teams.
Many of his trade packages have been dual packages from teams. Teams want to acquire Robertson + another Cubs star for a more significant trade deal. Robertson is a 37-year-old, experienced relief pitcher who has played for 15 major league seasons. The trade deadline is a confusing and stressful time for fans, the front office, and especially the players.
Robertson played into the trade deadline, playfully screaming, “I don’t know anything!” to reporters approaching his locker.
The New York Mets have been active in trade talks with Robertson, hoping to acquire him and Contreras in a significant package deal.
Next week, the Cubs could have completely different players battling for starting spots the rest of the season.
After a four-game set with the San Francisco Giants, the Cubs have an off day on Monday, one day before the trade deadline.
