Chicago Cubs: Moving a fan favorite in the Mock Winter Meetings

Looking to fill a big need in the FanSided Mock Winter Meetings, we traded a Chicago Cubs fan favorite in an effort to fill a big need in the bullpen.

Much like I made it clear yesterday, we’ll start things off with an important disclaimer. This trade we’re about to talk about did not happen. It took place as part of the annual FanSided MLB Mock Winter Meetings and featured the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians.

Every year, all the MLB division editors get together for a week and wheel and deal for our respective teams. Again, we have to operate with a mindset similar to the actual organization – so you won’t see the Baltimore Orioles shelling out $400 million for Bryce Harper.

Yesterday, I broke down our first trade of the Mock Winter Meetings, a deal that sent Mike Montgomery and a pair of prospects to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for hard-throwing reliever Raisel Iglesias. This deal gives the Cubs an insurance policy on right-hander Brandon Morrow, who missed half the season with injuries last year – and brings another shutdown arm into the mix.

Our second move of the Mock Winter Meetings also focused on the relief corps. While I doubt many people will jump all over me for trading Montgomery, talking about this deal will be quite different, I’m sure.

In a straight one-for-one swap, we sent outfielder Albert Almora Jr. to the Indians in exchange for left-handed reliever Brad Hand and his team-friendly contract.