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.

Cubs keep pillaging the farm – but with good reason

The Cubs had to part ways with two young infielders. For the Cubs, they continued to trade prospects and avoided touching major league talent. Recently named the Cubs’ #1 overall prospect, Candelario, 23, looks to get an opportunity with the Tigers.

Candelario had a couple cups of coffee with the big league team, slashing just .136/.240/.250 in 44 career at-bats with one home run. Candelario has a career .270 average in the minors and is a solid switch-hitter. Unfortunately, he was blocked by Kris Bryant, and with the bulk of the Cubs infield set for years to come, there was no place to put him.

Paredes was playing at Single-A South Bend. Slashing .264/.343/.401, Paredes is having a nice season at just 18 years old. Some scouts even say that he might be better than Candelario. However, with him being an infielder and so young, he became expendable for the Cubs. Paredes is still several years away from being ready for the big-leagues.

A win-win

The Cubs got exactly what they wanted and didn’t trade anyone on the big league roster. The Cubs will have to make two roster moves to make room for the newly acquired players. There is no doubt that catcher Victor Caratini, fresh off his first career home run, will be sent to minor leagues. Justin Grimm seems like the most likely removal from the bullpen, as he still has options left. The Cubs will also have to remove one player from the 40-man roster as well.

The Cubs did not surrender a big-league asset in the deal. With Rizzo and Bryant holding down the corner infield spot for years to come, Candelario lacked a clear path to the bigs. Trading him only helps the team – and doesn’t jeopardize the future.

Los Angeles Dodgers acquire proven front-line starter

Running right up to the 4 p.m. ET deadline, the best team in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers, got their man.

Los Angeles acquired right-hander Yu Darvish from the Texas Rangers, sending a trio of prospects (Willie Calhoun, A.J. Alexy and Brendon Davis) to Texas in the deal. Darvish, who will hit the open market at season’s end, shores up a rotation already boasting Clayton Kershaw and Alex Wood.

Chicago Cubs

In separate deals, the Dodgers acquired southpaw reliever Tony Watson from the Pirates and Tony Cingrani from the Cincinnati Reds. These were the most notable moves Andrew Friedman pulled off on Monday, bolstering a club on pace for a staggering 114 regular-season wins.

In Darvish, they get a four-time All-Star who has struggled in 2017. In his fifth big-league season, the right-hander owns a 4.01 ERA, 1.168 WHIP and 3.98 FIP in 22 starts. He has struggled badly in his three post-All-Star Break outings, posting an ERA north of 6.00.

A former shutdown lefty

Watson was an elite reliever in the not-too-distant past. From 2013 to 2015, Watson pitched to a sub-2.00 ERA in 222 games as part of the Pirates’ Shark Tank bullpen. He played a major role in the club’s resurgence and return to winning ways.

He represents a very high upside arm. In a winning environment, he may get back to being his dominant self – lending a huge boost to the Dodgers’ pen that already features Kenley Jansen.

Cingrani certainly is a step – or two – below these other two arms. But, hey, depth is depth. (And he’s controllable, which is never a bad thing).

This is the Dodgers’ year. Or, at least, that’s what the front office and fans hope. But, if it happens NOT to be their year, they’ve got plenty left in the system to stay in the hunt for years to come.

Yankees poised for a long-term run

Remember when the New York Yankees pillaged the future for the sake of the now?

Yeah, those days are gone. With a loaded farm system and a young core already at the big-league level, the Bronx Bombers appear ready to battle in the AL East for years to come. Aaron Judge is a leading candidate for MVP and the club’s newest addition may prove to be the biggest difference-maker.

On Monday, the Yankees dealt for Oakland right-hander Sonny Gray in one of the most highly-anticipated deals of the day. The right-hander, under team control through 2019, bounced back from an injury-riddled 2016 season early this year. In his Athletics career, Gray owned a 3.42 ERA in 112 starts.

Manager Joe Girardi spoke to the media Monday about the deal – and the opportunity at-hand.

“I think we’ve definitely improved ourselves,” Girardi said. “When I look at ownership and the front office, they’ve given us an opportunity to do something special here. Now we have to go out and do it.”

Oakland acquired Dustin Fowler, Jorge Mateo and James Kaprielian in the deal. Following the trade, Fowler ranks third, Mateo fifth and Kaprielian 11th on the Oakland MLB.com prospect list. New York held onto some key talent in Clint Frazier, former Cub Gleyber Torres and lefty Justus Sheffield.

Locked in a battle with the Red Sox atop the East, the Yankees needed to address the starting rotation. And they did it in a big way. Watch out for the Baby Bombers as October nears.

Next: Breaking down early deals on Deadline Day