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: Will the team use Bryant as a major trade chip?

Let’s be perfectly clear about something: Kris Bryant is not the problem here. That being said, he could wind up being part of the solution – as a trade piece.

This season, the Chicago slugger turned in a 4.8 WAR season, per Fangraphs. For the second time in his young career, he surpassed the 30-home run plateau, while cutting down his strikeout rate and increasing his walk percentage simultaneously. In short, he was Kris Bryant.

Of course, there are those who will point to his season-ending ankle injury. He battled through a lingering knee issue for much of the season, as well. That came on the heels of a shoulder injury that sapped Bryant of his ability to drive the ball in 2018.

But that’s not the story of what the former NL Rookie of the Year and MVP brings to the table. This is a guy who is capable of completely transforming an offense – while playing multiple positions – a commodity for any team in the league, to be sure.

This winter’s free agent class isn’t exactly dripping with offensive firepower. Of course, Anthony Rendon headlines the position players – but if a team misses out on the Nationals superstar, they could look to fill their need elsewhere. Given Bryant shares a position with Rendon, there may be some crossover in the interested parties.

Still, Chicago isn’t going to trade Bryant simply to trade Bryant. It would take an otherworldly haul – and rightfully so. But you can’t dismiss the idea out of hand – you just can’t.

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.