3 Cubs players who survived the trade deadline, but who won't survive the season

While not the way Chicago Cubs fans were hoping for, it was a transformative MLB trade deadline for the Cubs' pitching staff. The Cubs' bullpen saw additions of Andrew Kittredge and Taylor Rogers, with Michael Soroka also likely to join the bullpen once Jameson Taillon returns from injury.

In the days leading up to the deadline and the immediate aftermath, we've seen the Cubs take steps to prepare their roster for a postseason push. Chris Flexen and Ryan Pressly each had important roles in the Cubs' bullpen during the opening months of the season, and have each found themselves designated for assignment within the last week. Similarly, Vidal Bruján's versatility was supposed to be a valued asset on the bench; instead, the Cubs were forced to add Willi Castro from the Minnesota Twins.

Even with the trade deadline in the rearview, players, there will be roster moves in the weeks ahead as the Cubs look to get the best 26 players on their roster before reaching the postseason.

These Cubs players dodged the trade deadline—but they won’t finish the season

Jon Berti, utility infielder

While Vidal Bruján was designated for assignment to make room for Castro, Jon Berti's role also figures to be impacted heavily. All the positions that Berti plays are the same positions that Castro can play. All things being equal, Craig Counsell will likely defer to Castro as being the first man off the bench when a starter needs a day off. That doesn't bode well for Berti, who could lose his roster spot in the coming weeks if the Cubs want to fortify their bench with a top prospect such as Owen Caissie or Moises Ballesteros.

Drew Pomeranz, LHP

The Cubs will have a decision to make once Jameson Taillon is ready to return, and it would seem like Drew Pomeranz will lose his spot in the bullpen as a result. The Cubs added left-handed relief pitcher Taylor Rogers at the deadline, and that likely forecasts Pomeranz's departure in the coming weeks. Like Flexen, Pomeranz was an early-season success story for the Cubs, but his underlying metrics aren't as pretty.

Reese McGuire, catcher

Miguel Amaya's minor-league rehab assignment is likely coming to an end this week, and when it does, Reese McGuire almost certainly will be the corresponding move. McGuire continued the trend of the Cubs' catchers finding offensive success this season, and likely would have been traded at the deadline had Amaya returned sooner.

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