Chicago Cubs: Three players who could be moved in a blockbuster deal

Looking to re-shape a roster that has failed to live up to expectations, the Chicago Cubs could make big moves in a blockbuster deal this offseason.

Just three short years ago, the Chicago Cubs were in the midst of their historic 2016 postseason run – one that culminated in the team’s first World Series title since 1908. Anchored by a deep rotation and a core of controllable young players, the talks of ‘dynasty’ seemed anything but premature.

Yet here we are in early October, watching two division rivals reach the postseason after the Cubs faded down the stretch, winning just 84 games and losing eight of their final 10 contests. That stretch, combined with the team’s disappointing finish in each of the last two years culminated in the team moving on from manager Joe Maddon on the final day of the season.

Now, Theo Epstein is embarking on the quest to find Maddon’s successor – a tall task for any front office, even one led by a two-time curse-breaker. Once that’s handled, Epstein will set to work re-making a Cubs roster that has some pretty apparent holes.

Chicago should have more financial flexibility than they did a year ago – with a lot of money coming off the books. But free agency can be fickle and Epstein will undoubtedly keep all his options open as he looks to reload his team – including a blockbuster trade this offseason.

Chicago Cubs: Contreras would no doubt attract a lengthy list of clubs

I’ve already talked at length on Contreras’ potential to be the likeliest Cub to be wearing a different uniform come Spring Training. It’s not hard to envision given his tremendous value – especially at the plate.

He’s undoubtedly one of the more premier offensive backstops in the game today. Despite a hamstring injury for the second consecutive season, Contreras turned in a career-best 127 wRC+ in 105 games.

The two-time All-Star is heading into his age-27 campaign with a lot of seemingly untapped potential. In 2018, we saw him put together a stretch where he could’ve legitimately put himself in the lower-ballot MVP discussion before suffering an injury. In the first half of 2019, Contreras compiled a .937 OPS – picking up where he left off late last year.

But more than anything Contreras himself is responsible for, it’s the exploits of his teammate, Victor Caratini, that makes me think he could be on the move this winter. The backstop turned in a career year, filling in admirably for Contreras and putting up the best offensive numbers of his career.

In an ideal world, the Cubs wouldn’t have to even entertain the idea of trading the team’s best offensive catchers in recent memory. But given the team’s needs on the pitching staff and at several other positions, trading from a position of strength and supplementing Contreras with one of the many veteran backstops on the market this winter, it might be their best move.

Chicago Cubs: Talk about the blockbuster of all blockbusters

If you want to talk about remaking a team in a monumental way, this would do the trick. Now, I don’t think the Cubs are going to trade Javier Baez. In fact, I consider him one of the key guys the front office will try to extend in coming months. But in this game, one can never say never.

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Epstein spoke to The Athletic recently about both Bryant and Baez, offering plenty of insight on how the organization views its stars.

“I look at them both the same,” Epstein said (subscription required). “They’re fantastic players. I don’t think it’s mutually exclusive. I think they’re both hugely important and it would be hard to see them out of a Cubs uniform. But we’re at a transition point and we have to do whatever is best for the Cubs. I hope it includes both those guys.”

Baez battled through injuries himself this year – and while he didn’t quite live up to his MVP runner-up status from the year prior, the Puerto Rican native turned heads like always. He led all Cubs players in Baseball Reference WAR (4.8) and earning his second All-Star Selection.

Of course, there’s a lot that comes with a player like Baez. He’s indisputably one of the best defensive players in all of baseball and is one of the most exciting personalities out there. Losing El Mago would be a blow to the heart, make no mistake. But there’s no player on this roster who would command as big of a return, either.

Again, I don’t think we’ll see Javier Baez in a new uniform in 2020. But I’m trying to be open-minded heading into what seems likely to be the busiest offseason for the Chicago Cubs since the dawn of the Maddon era, which has now drawn to a close.