The Chicago Cubs are looking to continue their rebuild as sellers at the MLB trade deadline.
As we approach the MLB trade deadline on August 2, there will be three players that will most likely be moved from the Chicago Cubs to a team looking to make a run in the postseason. Those players are catcher Willson Contreras, closer David Robertson, and right-handed pitcher Mychal Givens.
As of Wednesday, David Robertson (3-0, 1.89 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 14 saves) has been drawing the most interest and is one of the most popular names on the trade market right now, per MLB Trade Rumors. According to Joel Sherman from The New York Post, both the New York Yankees and New York Mets have a significant interest in Robertson.
My colleague at FanSided, Robert Murray, says that the New York Mets love Robertson and have been looking for a reliable southpaw in their bullpen. Other teams including the Tampa Bay Rays and St. Louis Cardinals have been mentioned looking for bullpen help as well, but most likely the Yankees or Mets will land Robertson.
For Cubs fans, it has been an emotional past couple of days.
#Cubs Willson Contreras says these last few days have been tough. I asked him specially why: pic.twitter.com/cyfrJKnkbI
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) July 26, 2022
Willson Contreras and Ian Happ were the final two players in the dugout. They shared this embrace. pic.twitter.com/Y6GIvRMvqh
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) July 26, 2022
It is clear Contreras (.258 average, 14 home runs, 37 RBI) would like to stay in Chicago, but simultaneously he understands the business and knows his days as a Cub are numbered. Two days ago, Jeff Passan from ESPN reported the Houston Astros have been in contact with the Cubbies to try and strike a deal for Contreras. The Astros have been without veteran backup Jason Castro for a while and manager Dusty Baker says he is still not doing very well with his rehab.
Dusty Baker said Jason Castro’s not doing well with the knee and there will be news on him soon.
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) July 23, 2022
Michael Brantley (right shoulder discomfort) could start some baseball activities this week.
A move for Contreras makes so much sense for Houston. Even if they keep Martin Maldonado, adding Contreras adds some depth at catcher and adds another quality bat to the lineup and can use him at DH at times or even occasionally at first base.
In addition to that, Pat Ragazzo from Sports illustrated proclaims the Cubs would love to package Contreras and Robertson together in a deal to bring back in a ton of quality prospects.
It will be a busy next couple of days and the Cubs will be taking a lot of calls regarding these players.
There are only a few days left until the deadline on Tuesday, so teams will have to sweeten the deal if they want Contreras or Robertson. It’s going to take some great prospects likely within the Top 100 list. We’ll be keeping an eye out over the next couple of days.