Cubs Rumors: The latest on Juan Soto, Ian Happ and Willson Contreras

We’re coming down to the wire – just five days until this year’s Aug. 2 MLB Trade Deadline. Though it has been somewhat quiet in terms of transactions so far, the rumors are still aplenty throughout the league. After the gut-punching realization that both Willson Contreras and Ian Happ will more than likely be moved within a week, Cubs fans gave Contreras an overwhelming emotional standing ovation during what could have been his final game at Wrigley Field.

After an embrace between Happ and Contreras in the dugout at the end of the game, the inevitable seemed ever so apparent as both players seemed to accept the end is near in terms of their time on the North Side.

So what’s holding up the trade market? The Washington Nationals’ potential trade of generational talent Juan Soto, who is just 23 years old and recently turned down a long-term extension worth more than $400 million.

Currently, it seems the St. Louis Cardinals have emerged as the front runners in the packed field of Soto suitors. For Cubs fans, this trade would be the haymaker of blows after watching their rival give up light returns when acquiring Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado in recent years.