Chicago Cubs: Don’t underestimate the power of ‘small’ trades

Chicago Cubs: Left-hander who tossed the biggest pitch in Cubs history

2016 with the Seattle Mariners: Paul Blackburn and Dan Vogelbach for Mike Montgomery and Jordan Pries

I recently revisited just this trade in an article.  In retrospect, I’m still surprised the Mariners traded away a young, cost controlled, left-handed starting pitcher. But at the time this was nowhere near the big deal we Cub fans were hoping for. Eventually we got our much bigger trade in the Aroldis Chapman deal. But most Cubs fans hadn’t even heard of Mike Montgomery before this trade.

Vogelbach isn’t a very good defender. He’s limited to just first base when he does play in the field. However, the Mariners traded for him in hopes that he might be their DH of the future. Vogelbach has barely played in the major leagues. Neither pitcher involved in this deal has contributed at the major league level.

But holy cow, has Montgomery ever worked out. I hate to think what would have happened if the Cubs hadn’t made this trade. Would the Cubs be in first place today without Montgomery? Who would have filled Yu Darvish‘s spot in the rotation this year? Who would have gotten the last out in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series?