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

Cubs: Mets, Padres, Braves all teams to keep an eye on ahead of the deadline

We’ve also heard rumblings that the San Diego Padres were among the front runners for Soto, as well. That’s particularly relevant for Cubs fans because we know the back-and-forth talks Chicago has had with the Friars for more than a year – and San Diego looks like a potential landing spot for Willson Contreras and/or Ian Happ, as well.

Here’s what’s important to keep in mind here: should Soto not fall to the Padres or Mets, (Mets more than likely were never an option as the Nationals seem to be unwilling to deal within the division) then the bidding war for Contreras and Happ could take off between those two clubs which will lead to both sides to upping their ante and ultimately yielding a better return for the Cubs in the process.

With Andrew Benintendi going to the Yankees, the New York is presumably out on Soto and Happ. No matter where Soto lands, once that move happens, you can bet other dominos will start falling in short order.

As Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation reported yesterday, now even the Braves are in on a potential Ian Happ/David Robertson combination. We’ve talked a ton about what the team might get back for Contreras, but Happ, who comes with another year of control, paired with a Robertson or Mychal Givens could have an equally impressive return.

Assuming Contreras, Happ, Robertson and Givens are all gone in coming days, what is the best path to wander down to find the best return if you’re Carter Hawkins and Jed Hoyer?