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3 Chicago Cubs players who could get moved at the deadline
The Chicago Cubs have a lot going for them going into the 2023 season. They were able to sign one of the top free agent shortstops when they inked former Braves star Dansby Swanson to a 7-year deal. They also brought in power hitters like Cody Bellinger and Trey Mancini, while bolstering the pitching staff with Jameson Taillon and Drew Smyly. Barring any serious injuries, the Cubs should be in a position to compete.
However, this does not mean the Cubs will not move some of their players at the trade deadline. If the Cubs are not looking like they will win the division come July, they may be inclined to send some of their expiring contracts to other teams. And that's okay because the Cubs still have time before a deep playoff run looks likely. So here are three players that the Cubs could trade if their win/loss record is not up to par at the trade deadline.
1. Michael Fulmer
Fulmer is will be a back-of-the-bullpen option for David Ross, and there is a good chance he could emerge as the every day closer. Since he is only on a one-year deal, the Cubs could look to flip Fulmer at the deadline in exchange for a prospect or two. The Cubs have utilized the strategy of signing quality relievers to short-term contracts, and moving them at the deadline/ The Cubs have been using these deals to stack their minor league system with quality arms quite successfully.
Cubs Player | Year signed | Transaction | Players acquired |
|---|---|---|---|
David Robertson | 2022 | Traded to Phillies at 2022 deadline | Ben Brown (Cubs no. 7 prospect) |
Chris Martin | 2022 | Traded to Dodgers at 2022 deadline | Zach McKinstry |
Mychal Givens | 2022 | Traded to Mets at 2022 deadline | Saul Gonzalez (3.14 ERA in 43 innings in 2022) |
Scott Effross | Drafted by Cubs in 2015 | Traded to Yankees at 2022 deadline | Hayden Wesneski (Cubs probable 5th starter in 2023) |
Ryan Tepera | 2019 | Traded to White Sox at 2021 deadline | Bailey Horn (invited to Spring Training: 2.79 ERA last year) |
Andrew Chafin | 2021 | Traded to Athletics at 2021 deadline | RHP Daniel Palencia (Cubs no. 19 prospect) and 1B Greg Deichmann |
If the Cubs are not in contention this year, I would expect Fulmer to be involved in a similar deal if he is pitching well enough. Competing teams are always looking to add to their bullpen at the trade deadline, and the Cubs have been using that reality to help rebuild their farm system.
2. Ian Happ
Oh, people are not going to like this one. Look, I love Ian Happ just as much as the next Cubs fan, but the reality is his contract is expiring at the end of the year. While he has emerged as a leader and is a fan-favorite, it probably will not be worth it to re-up on a switch-hitting outfielder, who will be 29 years old at the time of his free agency. This team needs a long-term, power-hitting corner outfielder, and Happ has never been able to exceed 25 home runs, and at times his power numbers have been pretty bad. 25 home runs are nothing to complain about, but doing that once every four or five years is not going to cut it. I think giving him a large contract when you have several power-hitting outfielders on your top-ten prospect list would be unwise.
I would rather see the Cubs invest in Nico Hoerner long-term while seeing what you can get for Happ at the deadline if he is performing well enough. Happ's stock is also high right now, as he is fresh off winning a gold glove and leading the Cubs in 2022 with 72 RBI. He is a versatile player that could fetch the Cubs a decent prospect or two at the 2023 deadline if a playoff run does not look likely.
3. Kyle Hendricks
This one depends on Kyle Hendrick's health, as he is expected to begin the year on the injured list with a lingering shoulder problem that has carried over from last season. Like Happ, Hendricks is entering the last year of his contract with the Cubs, and he will likely be leaving the team soon one way or another. The man has done amazing things in a Cubs uniform, most notably his Herculean efforts in the 2016 season. But he is 33 years old and it does not look like the Cubs will re-sign or extend him any time soon.
This means he is a likely candidate to get moved this deadline, given he returns from his injury and pitches well enough. The Cubs starting rotation is already crowded without him, and they do not even have a true ace yet. While I have the utmost respect for his career as a Cub, it may be time to let some of the many talented arms in the Cubs minor league system to step in and take up the mantle.
Next. 15 worst Chicago Cubs free agent signings in franchise history. dark