Oops! Did Chicago Cubs merchandise plan for Contreras trade?

Is it possible that even the folks running the merchandise display for the Chicago Cubs thought Willson Contreras was going to be traded before the MLB trade deadline expired?

Did Chicago Cubs take down Willson Contreras jerseys before the MLB trade deadline, even though he was never traded?

Take a look at the photo below and see if you noticed what this reporter for The Chicago Tribune picked up on when looking at the Chicago Cubs jerseys that were available for purchase.

Contreras, the Cubs catcher and one of the top backstops that was thought to be available at the recent MLB trade deadline, wears number 40, so it’s unclear if the photo was taken and a Contreras jersey might be in a different part of the store. However, Contreras is easily one of the most recognizable names on the current Cubs roster, so one would think that it would be in a place of prominence, perhaps ahead of a David Bote or Nick Madrigal jersey.

Interestingly, Ian Happ’s jerseys are still in place even though he and Contreras were rumored to be a pair of Cubs who were likely on the way out at the trade deadline. However, like Contreras, Happ is still with the Cubs.

Contreras is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season, so it’s possible that the Cubs will place a qualifying offer on him in the hopes of getting a draft pick back in return from whichever team chooses to sign him. The 30-year-old Contreras is expected to be a player to watch this offseason as the Cubs have reportedly not discussed a contract extension with him.

Chicago Cubs fans were somewhat surprised when Willson Contreras wasn’t traded at the MLB trade deadline, and it seems like the people running the merchandise store possibly were as well.