3 unexpected Cubs who will be traded this season

Cubs could look to flip Andrew Chafin (or any other high-performing arm)

For our purposes, we’ll focus here on Andrew Chafin, the team’s mustachioed lefty who has quickly become a fan favorite on the North Side. But, again, it’s worth pointing out again that pretty much anybody on a one-year ‘prove it’ deal or in their final year of control could be dealt this season.

We’ve talked at length about how a resurgent Craig Kimbrel could wind up being the team’s most valuable trade chip. But someone like Chafin could wind up being a nice piece for a contender looking to bolster its rotation prior to the stretch run.

The southpaw came out guns blazing this season, striking out opponents at an absurd rate of 17.4 K/9. Of course, he’s also battled control issues – but the swing-and-miss stuff is definitely there. He’s made a half-dozen appearances on the year and has had just one poor showing, putting up zeroes the rest of the time.

On a very affordable one-year, $2.75 million deal and with a track record of success (3.22 FIP across nearly 350 big league appearances), it won’t be difficult for Jed Hoyer to find takers for someone like Chafin – and it could be these more ‘fringe’ moves that wind up dominating the team’s trade deadline if they can’t get what they deem fair value for their star players.

Cubs: A Willson Contreras trade would tell us all we need to know

For me personally, despite the pretty regular trade rumors surrounding Willson Contreras this past offseason, a trade of the All-Star catcher during the 2021 season would really surprise me.

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Chicago stands to lose its entire offensive core outside of Contreras – making him a logical building block for the future. Without him – and without Bryant, Rizzo and Baez – we’re talking about a complete, tear it down to the studs rebuild. Which might be exactly what this Cubs team needs at this point.

With one year of team control remaining and his standing as one of the premier players at his position, Contreras is – without a doubt – the Cubs’ most valuable player. He’s capable of changing the game with his bat, glove or his energy alone, as we’ve seen countless times over the years.

If there’s a contender who feels their one weak spot is behind the dish, Chicago needs to pick up the phone and hear what they have to say. Because trading Contreras is sure to bring back the best return and, as much as it would hurt in the short-term, with Miguel Amaya waiting in the wings, it might be one of the quickest ways to turn over this roster with an eye toward the future.

Barring the Cubs playing Dodgers-level baseball the rest of the first half, I don’t think there’s any chance the team isn’t sellers. But seeing them go all-in and trade a Hendricks or Contreras would be a clear indication the organization is ready to go in a new direction under Hoyer.