Completely forgotten Cubs trade from 2021 has paid off in a huge way this season

When Chicago Cubs fans think back to the emotional 48 hours leading up to the 2021 MLB trade deadline, there are familiar refrains: the Javier Baez deal that brought back Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kris Bryant heading to the Bay and joining the Giants and Anthony Rizzo taking pictures with his family amidst the center field ivy after being sent to the Bronx.

But Jed Hoyer made more than just those three moves - and one of those quieter deals that didn't draw much attention at the time is having a huge impact on the 2025 Cubs. When Chicago traded fan-favorite Andrew Chafin to the Athletics, two players came back: outfielder Greg Deichmann and pitcher Daniel Palencia.

Cubs hit it big with their Daniel Palencia lottery ticket back in 2021

At the time of the deal, Palencia had all of six professional appearances to his name, all coming with Class-A Stockton. The young right-hander then joined the Myrtle Beach Pelicans after the trade and, within two years, had gotten his first taste of Triple-A ball at Iowa. Now, he's locking down games for the Cubs amidst a postseason push.

It's a move that, even now, when people talk about how good Palencia has been this year, isn't getting its due. It was a huge pick-up for Hoyer at that high-stakes deadline and, really, the only player other than PCA who joined the organization via one of those trades that's made meaningful contributions to the Cubs at the big-league level.

Entering Sunday's finale against Colorado at Coors Field, Palencia has set career-bests in virtually every category because of one key adjustment that's helped his walk rate plummet. He owns a 2.02 ERA in 48 appearances and he's nailed down 21 saves, helping solidify a major early-season weakness in the Cubs' bullpen.

As for Chafin, we're annually pondering whether or not the Cubs will pursue a reunion with the long-haired, mustachioed southpaw. This summer, he was traded (yet again), going from Washington to Anaheim - marking the eighth MLB team he's pitched for during his 12-year career. Although his tenure on the North Side wasn't particularly lengthy, he managed to leave his mark on the organization long after he left.