Chicago Cubs: Best deadline trades during the Theo Epstein regime

Going for it again

When the Cubs went and got Jose Quintana from the White Sox, it wasn’t necessarily a “go for it” move. The Cubs are very likely to lose John Lackey and Jake Arrieta, so this move made sense. While it came at a high cost, including the top two prospects in the Cubs’ system in Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease–it was one they felt they needed to make. The Cubs added two other prospects in the deal, making it another 4-for-1 deal, but a much better one this time around.

Once the Cubs got off to–and continued–the hot start in the second half, Epstein decided this was as close to a dynasty as he might get. The Cubs got the pieces that were looking for in backup catcher Alex Avila and reliever Justin Wilson. Avila will be nothing more than a rental, but Wilson is arbitration eligible next season. So the Cubs get a valuable addition to the pen for next season. And, if Wade Davis chooses to sign elsewhere after this offseason, the Cubs will have Wilson and Rondon to close games.

Next: Bartman gets a ring

Epstein has shown faith in this team but being a buyer and not a seller–not that we ever thought that would be the case. Not we just have to wait and see what kind of magic this team has in store for us. With all of the deadline deals that took place today, the rest of this season should be exciting.