Morning Marquee: Chicago Cubs acquire Montgomery following win

Before the Chicago Cubs packed their bags and headed north to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they had some unfinished business with the New York Mets. And boy they know how to wrap up their first homestand of the second half.

The trade deadline is coming up at the beginning of August. Teams, the front office of each organization, are searching high and low to add to their rosters in order to make a strong postseason run or bring in building blocks for the future.

For awhile, the Chicago Cubs were the ones trading away top talent on their big-league roster, only to find themselves in the driver’s seat. Last season, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer managed to bring in Austin Jackson and Fernando Rodney from the Seattle Mariners.

Both men moved on, one with the San Diego Padres (Rodney) only to be shipped off to the Miami Marlins, the other signed with the Chicago White Sox.

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Now it’s that time again. Trade season. And as soon as the Chicago Cubs were done with the New York Mets, another trade with Seattle was completed. But first, let’s recap a bit of yesterday’s action.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo has been absolutely red-hot for the first-place Chicago Cubs as he hammered two home runs to help lift his club to a series win. His first was a solo homer in the bottom half of the third and a two-run shot in the fifth which brought Kris Bryant around to cross home plate as well.

A great win and feel good series for the Cubbies who were swept by the Mets in the National League Championship Series and before the All-Star break. Talk about returning the favor.

So anyway, let’s get into this deal between the Cubs and Mariners. Making their way to Seattle will be prospects Dan Vogelbach and Paul Blackburn. Vogelbach was the key piece in this trade. In exchange for both men, Chicago received southpaw Mike Montgomery and a prospect Jordan Pries.

Both men look great in a Cubs uniform.

Next: Can a deal with the Yankees still be made?

Vogelbach has gained some attention from American League teams and will potentially fill in as a designated hitter sometime in his career.

It’s disappointing to see Vogelbach leave but there was absolutely no room for him with this organization. Rizzo will play his entire career on the North Side of Chicago, so it was only a matter of time until Vogelbach was traded.

We wish him nothing but the best with Seattle. Now, a roster move should be expected to be made later on today in order to make room for Montgomery. It will more than likely involve Spencer Patton. Only time will tell.

Before the Chicago Cubs packed their bags and headed north to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they had some unfinished business with the New York Mets. And boy they know how to wrap up their first homestand of the second half.

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