How the Chicago Cubs deadline moves stack up to the other NL Central teams

The 2023 MLB trade deadline has come and gone and the Chicago Cubs wound up being buyers for the first time in three years. With an extremely competitive race between the Cubs, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Cincinnati Reds, this deadline could prove to be crucial in who ends up on top of the division in October. Here's what the Cubs' deadline moves look like compared to the rest of the division.

The St. Louis Cardinals

One of the most disappointing teams of 2023 has been the St. Louis Cardinals, who were expected to win the NL Central with relative ease, but instead, they moved some of their best assets at the deadline. Notably, however, the team did not trade its two best players in first baseman Paul Goldschmidt or third baseman Nolan Arenado. Both men would have fetched a hefty haul of prospects in return. The team was reportedly hearing offers for both men, but since neither were moved it could mean the Cardinals' front office was not committed to a full rebuild.

That's not to say the team didn't move significant players, such wasas starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery, former ace Jack Flaherty, as well as shortstop Paul DeJong and closer Jordan Hicks. Each of these players were keys parts of the Cardinals in recent years and although all four of them are on expiring contracts, the team indeed waved the white flag on the 2023 season by trading them.

What makes these moves oh so sweet from our perspective is the fact that the Cubs effectively made the decision for the Cardinals to sell by taking 6 out of 8 games against the red birds in the last two weeks. The Cardinals are also likely to post their first losing season since 2007.