As Cubs weigh their deadline options, the Brewers make a trade with the Rays

I wouldn't describe most Chicago Cubs fans as feeling particularly patient ahead of Thursday's trade deadline - and despite it being a relatively small move, the rival Milwaukee Brewers acquiring catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Bay Rays will do little to help that.

All weekend, fans clamored for Jed Hoyer to make a big trade ahead of this week's huge series between the Cubs and Brewers in Milwaukee - but the only news we've received is that of Hoyer's multi-year extension, which was announced by the team Monday afternoon.

Jansen, a rental on a one-year, $8 million deal, comes to the Brewers in exchange for a yet-to-be-named prospect. He'll add depth behind former All-Star William Contreras, giving manager Pat Murphy a quality option to turn to amidst his backstop's relative down year.

Brewers shore up catching depth ahead of huge series with the Cubs

Contreras' OPS is down roughly 150 points over his 2024 campaign, in which he earned his second straight Silver Slugger Award, playing an integral role in the Brewers' run to the top of the division. This season, he's batting just .242/.342/.340, with his power completely evaporating. Jansen isn't exactly an offensive juggernaut, but he's a nice #2 on the depth chart and has been a league average bat for almost all of his eight-year MLB career.

Milwaukee and Chicago have both been vying to land All-Star slugger Eugenio Suarez ahead of the trade deadline - but there's been no resolution on that front to this point. His bat could be the difference-maker in a tight NL Central race, but don't discount the impact moves like this Jansen trade can make on a team down the stretch, either.

The Cubs continue to play at the top of the starting pitcher trade market, connected to names like Edward Cabrera and MacKenzie Gore, and have also been mentioned as suitors for a number of late-inning relief arms and bench pieces.