Chicago Cubs Rumors: Breaking down the top moves of the trade deadline

After the Chicago Cubs dealt for Justin Wilson and Alex Avila, several other playoff contenders made some big moves of their own ahead of the deadline.

Speculation ran rampant over the last few weeks. The Chicago Cubs needed to bolster the bullpen and add a back-up catcher before the trade deadline.  Ever since the team designated Miguel Montero for assignment, the Cubs shifted their focus on the market. On Monday morning, Chicago pulled off a trade to address both needs – without touching anyone on the big-league roster.

As first reported by Jon Heyman, the Chicago Cubs acquired left-handed reliever Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila in exchange for third-baseman Jeimer Candelario and shortstop Isaac Paredes. This move filled the two remaining holes on the Cubs roster as they begin their playoff push.

The Cubs got exactly what they wanted and it didn’t cost a piece of the team’s young, controllable core. But their path to a second-straight World Series appearance is far from easy. The Los Angeles Dodgers made a big splash and the Washington Nationals bolstered their bullpen.

We break down the moves of all three contenders here.