Checking in on Cubs relievers who were traded at the deadline

It has already been almost a month since the 2022 trade deadline. While many expected the North Siders to trade catcher Wilson Contreras or slugging outfielder Ian Happ, this was not the case. This was a relief, especially considering how Happ has been playing as of late. However, the Chicago Cubs did damage when trading away late-inning relievers, which are crucial to winning ballgames.

Similar to the 2021 trade deadline, Jed Hoyer and the front office made moves that sent competent relievers to different clubs in 2022 as well. Most of the moves happened before the trade deadline, and Chicago received minor leaguers in return. For example, the Cubs moved reliever Chris Martin to the Los Angeles Dodgers for utilityman Zach McKinstry.

Chicago also traded Scott Effross to the New York Yankees for Hayden Weneski and sent David Robertson to the City of Brotherly Love for Double-A starting right-hander Ben Brown. Finally, with about 10 minutes to spare at the deadline, the Cubs sent the once dominant veteran reliever Mychal Givens to the New York Mets for Saul Gonzalez.

Gonzalez is another right-handed pitching prospect. The Cubs had no issues dismantling their bullpen to make moves for the future. But, there was no telling how each trade would turn out. However, the more time passes, the more fans might wonder how the relievers they saw in the first half are doing with their new teams.

How are these three former Chicago Cubs relievers doing with their new clubs?

The 36-year-old veteran Martin signed a one-year deal with Chicago after winning the 2021 World Series with the Braves. During his time with the Cubs, he posted a 4.31 ERA and owns a career of 4.10 ERA. Martin has been very successful in Los Angeles with a 1.69 ERA in 11 games.

Though Martin battled an elbow issue that led him to undergo an MRI, the hope is that Martin will be able to avoid a stint on the Injured List, but only time will tell. Now, onto Effross. Moving the young right-hander was one of the most unexpected moves that Chicago made at the deadline. Despite having several years of control left, Hoyer decided to send the side-armer to the Bronx.

Since going to the Big Apple, Effross has continued doing well, but his season has been put on pause due to injury. Effross suffered a slight strain in his right shoulder. As a result, he was placed on the 15-day Injured List and is expected to rejoin the team in September. Effross has posted a 3.24 ERA across eight games with New York.

Next, we have Robertson. The veteran hurler was undoubtedly a major asset to the Cubs when he was with the team this season. He posted a 2.23 ERA across 26 games on the North Side.  But now he’s getting a second chance with the Phillies. Robertson previously had a stint in Philadelphia, but it was shortened by injury, and he never got a win or a save.

Now, Robertson has sported a 1.69 ERA across 10 outings with Philadelphia. From the looks of it, he has been just as successful with his new club as he was with the Cubs. But, that is not the case for our last reliever, Mychal Givens. Givens signed a one-year deal with the Cubs in March containing a mutual option for 2023.

Over his time with Chicago, he posted a 2.66 ERA in 40 appearances. With the Mets in Queens, Givens has seen his ERA rise to 4.14, thanks to a 9.58 mark with New York. Many thought he would thrive under the management of Buck Showalter, who was also his manager when he was with the Orioles, but this has not proved to be the case. Maybe things will improve for the 32-year-old, but time will tell.

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Putting injuries aside, it seems as if Martin and Effross have done well with their new clubs. That said, Robertson is doing just as well in Philadelphia as he did in Chicago. But Givens is faltering in New York. With over a month left in the 2022 regular season, it will certainly be interesting to see how things play out the rest of the way.