Chicago Cubs trade Martin Maldonado to Houston Astros for Tony Kemp

The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros struck a blockbuster trade to add depth to the fringes of their rosters, adding depth to areas of need.

After being acquired by the Chicago Cubs just a few short weeks ago, catcher Martin Maldonado will be heading to the Houston Astros.  Coming back to Chicago in the deal is utility man Tony Kemp, who found himself recently designated for assignment upon Carlos Correa‘s return from the injured list.

By 4 PM today, this trade will be an afterthought and won’t be all that interesting to even the most devout Astros and Cubs fan.  Both teams are essentially swapping spare parts where the team had depth.

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Maldonado has long been lauded for his defense and his ability to handle a staff but doesn’t offer much with the bat as his career .219/.288/.350 line (72 wRC+) attests.  Maldonado will make his way back to Houston after being traded to them last season.

They had interest in bringing him back in the off-season before he ultimately signed with the Royals after Salvador Perez went down for the year with a knee injury.  This is a good move for the Astros because Maldonado has experience with most of the staff and won’t have to learn a new tendencies.

With Willson Contreras back from injury and Victor Caratini serving as the backup, Maldonado had become expendable.  Tony Kemp will make his way to Chicago to provide additional reinforcements at 2B and in the outfield.

This season, the left-handed-hitting Kemp is hitting .219/.308/.417 (94 wRC+) which is a drop off from last seasons mark of 110 but right in line with his career line of 93.  By Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), Kemp has been slightly above average (+2 in the OF, +2 at 2B) and will provide Joe Maddon the flexibility to pick late-inning matchups and keep everyone fresh.

If anything, this *could* be a precursor to an Ian Happ / Albert Almora trade for a reliever, but more likely the Cubs building depth at a position of need.

Not every trade is going to be a league shifting blockbuster and that is the case here.  Both teams made a good move to shore up depth at positions of need with players at the fringes of their roster.

The Chicago Cubs got a CF capable utility player with a slightly below league average bat.  The Houston Astros got a defensive wizard is familiar with the staff and can shore up the catching corps while guiding the team to October.  Nothing More, Nothing Less.