Grading the Chicago Cubs front office at the season’s midway point

Acquired or traded

Since the end of the 2022 season, Hoyer and Hawkins have not pursued the trade market as a major priority. Only four players have come to the Cubs via trade, purchase or waiver claim, and only three have left through one of the same means.

Probably the most useful acquisition has been reliever Julian Merryweather, a January waiver claim from Toronto. Getting the biggest chance of his career, Merryweather, 31, has responded with a 2.86 ERA in 35 appearances, almost all of them of the one-inning variety. He’s been worth +0.5 WAA.

Miles Mastrobuoni is a second-year backup infielder who came to the Cubs from Tampa Bay for a minor leaguer. In sporadic appearances mostly at third base, Mastrobuoni has demonstrated why he’s never been looked at as a regular; he’s batting .145 and was sent down last week.

Of the three members of the 2022 Cubs who have been sent packing to other teams, Zack McKinstry has made the most impact. Traded to Detroit in March for a minor leaguer, he’s hitting .248 in 260 plate appearances and putting his best asset (his speed) to use. McKinstry has 11 steals in a dozen attempts. It still only adds up to a +0.1 WAA.