Call to the pen
Fansided

The Chicago Cubs one of the biggest disappointments at the trade deadline

By Noah Yingling

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 23: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs adjusts his ear piece to communicate to the pitcher through PitchCom during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cubs defeated the Phillies 6-2 in 10 innings. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 23: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs adjusts his ear piece to communicate to the pitcher through PitchCom during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cubs defeated the Phillies 6-2 in 10 innings. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Cubs are back to being what they have been for much of their franchise’s history: a losing team in more ways than one. Entering Trade Deadline day, the Cubs were a team on pace for 97 losses this year but they had a lot of trade commodities that they could get prospects with.

They included catcher Willson Contreras, outfielder Ian Happ, starter Wade Miley, reliever Scott Effross, reliever Mychal Givens, reliever David Robertson, and a few others. But they were disappointing … again.

The Chicago Cubs disappointed their fans yet again

The Chicago Cubs only traded the three relievers listed above, despite Willson Contreras being a free agent at the end of the season. Ian Happ is also a free agent after next season.

The Cubs would have gotten a lot for Willson Contreras as there were teams like the Mets and Rays that were interested in him, among many others. Offense at the catching position is down a lot and Contreras could help a lot of teams in that department. Contreras was the National League’s starting catcher for the All-Star Game in 2022. He entered Trade Deadline day an offensive slash line of .252/.365/.453, 14 home runs, 38 RBI, 20 doubles, and a wRC+ of 132 in 86 games.

Only seven MLB teams have an offensive output above league average … but the Cubs didn’t make a deal.

Happ is more understandable since he isn’t a free agent until the end of the 2023 season. However, unless they think that they can extend him, Happ will never have a higher trade value than right now.

Fortunately for the Cubs, they were far from the only teams that had a bad trade deadline. Even in the NL Central, the Brewers traded their All-Star closer Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres. They, arguably, got better in the long-term with prospects but it was a move that the Brewers players didn’t like … and they didn’t make much more in the way of additions.

But make no mistake about it, if the Cubs do not extend both Contreras and Happ, they made two colossal mistakes at this year’s trade deadline.

Next. Marcus Stroman joining Team Puerto Rico for WBC. dark

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