Chicago Cubs trade Martin Maldonado for Astros Tony Kemp

The Chicago Cubs made a move that should benefit both teams. They sent Martin Maldonado to the Houston Astros for utilityman Tony Kemp.

The Chicago Cubs made a trade today, but I don’t think this is what people had in mind. Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Cubs sent Martin Maldonado to the Houston Astros in exchange for Houston Astros utilityman Tony Kemp. Maldonado was acquired in a deal with the Kansas City Royals that sent Mike Montgomery from the Cubs.

At that time, Willson Contreras was going on the 10-day IL, and the Cubs weren’t comfortable bringing up Taylor Davis again. Montgomery had also asked for a trade at the start of the season which would allow him a chance to start. After Homer Bailey was dealt to the Oakland Athletics, a spot was open. So the Cubs may have done this as part of a need for a catcher, but also respect to Montgomery.

For the Cubs, they get Kemp, a versatile player who can play every outfield position and second base–but does not bring much to table offensively. In his career, he has slashed just .240/.322/.376 with a .697 OPS.

In 239 games, he’s totaled just 14 home runs and 58 RBI in that time. Being a smaller guy, you might expect him to have speed, but he’s 16-of-23 for his career with just five triples.

Just as Montgomery wasn’t being utilized before the trade, Maldonado in a three-catcher system wasn’t either. He played in just four games, going 0-for-11 with two walks. In all likelihood, the Cubs figured they would flip him at the deadline and may have had Kemp in mind when the did so.

The Cubs would like to find another bat, and possibly another left-handed reliever. This could entail flipping Derek Holland, who some might still see as a possible starter. The Cubs traded for David Phelps yesterday and should join the team today–unless he gets flipped.

The Cubs haven’t delved much into their farm system this year, and they haven’t traded anyone of the MLB roster except Maldonado, who wasn’t here for very long.

It’s starting to seems like the Cubs might be willing to ‘stand pat,’ or at least only do deals which cost the club little or nothing to lose. There are still two and a half hours to go, so teams aren’t done yet. The question is, are the Cubs done?