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Chicago Cubs former prospects thriving at the MLB level
Chicago Cubs: Even with the great performances of these guys, we cannot forget what they were traded for.
It was 2016 when Epstein traded for the flame-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees in exchange for Adam Warren, Rashad Crawford, Billy McKinney and the stud Venezuelan prospect Gleyber Torres. The other three guys were just throw-ins with Torres being the main piece. He was tearing it up in the minors and was a projected star.
In addition to that trade, Epstein also acquired Mike Montgomery from the Mariners which sent Dan Vogelbach to Seattle. Anthony Rizzo blocked the big, strong lefty first baseman so him being traded was no surprise. He was destined to be a DH like he is today.
One could take the World Series out of the equation and see Epstein being robbed twice. Torres is 22 and slashing .295/.361/.534 with 19 homers in 80 games this year, and Vogelbach has hit 20 homers in 83 games while slashing .241/.378/.504 and made his first All-Star game. Meanwhile, Chapman was a rental and Montgomery has a 5.67 ERA on the season.
Here is the thing…you CANNOT take a World Series out of the equation. That trumps everything. Chapman solidified the closer role and Montgomery got the most important third out in Cubs history. Any change in that season and who knows if they win. Fans once said they would do ANYTHING to see a World Series won by the Cubs, and we got it. Better to realize we have one championship than a whole bunch of hypothetical ones.