CHICAGO, IL – May 18: David Robertson and Willson Contreras of the Chicago Cubs high five as they exit the field of play in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on May 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)
The Cubs, MLB’s greatest sellers, should pursue three prospects at this year’s trade deadline
With a record of 25-42, the Chicago Cubs are currently in fourth place in the NL Central, 13.0 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
After a firesale at the trade deadline last year, the club appears to be headed for another sale this year. When it comes to tradeable parts for the Cubs, the quality is certainly not the same as it was at this time last year.
Kris Bryant, Javier Baeza, and Anthony Rizzo are no longer trade candidates.Willson Contreras is the Cubs’ most valuable trade asset, but rental pitchers David Robertson, Mychal Givens, Drew Smyly, and Wade Miley will almost certainly be wearing new clothes before August.
Which three prospects could the Cubs pursue at the MLB trade deadline?
3. Casey Schmitt, 3B, San Francisco Giants
The 23-year-old Casey Schmitt, the San Francisco Giants’ No. 13 prospect entering the 2022 season, is now with the Eugene Emeralds, the club’s High-A affiliate, and has had a fantastic start to the season.
Schmitt, the Giants’ second-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, has made significant offensive strides this season compared to last. In 320 innings at third base, the slick-fielding, power-hitting third baseman has 11 home runs and 33 RBI while making only five errors.
The Giants tried Schmitt out at shortstop for the first time in his professional career in an effort to boost his worth, and he has repaid them with 117 innings of one-error ball through 14 games.
Willson Contreras has been linked to the Giants, so Schmitt would be an intriguing asset for the Cubs to pursue in a hypothetical trade. The fit appears to be there on paper, since the Giants’ catching corps has made few contributions this season, and the Cubs’ top 10 prospects lack a genuine third baseman.
The Cubs, MLB’s greatest sellers, should pursue three prospects at this year’s trade deadline.
With a record of 25-42, the Chicago Cubs are currently in fourth place in the NL Central, 13.0 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
After a firesale at the trade deadline last year, the club appears to be headed for another sale this year. When it comes to tradeable parts for the Cubs, the quality is certainly not the same as it was at this time last year.
Kris Bryant, Javier Baeza, and Anthony Rizzo are no longer trade candidates.Willson Contreras is the Cubs’ most valuable trade asset, but rental pitchers David Robertson, Mychal Givens, Drew Smyly, and Wade Miley will almost certainly be wearing new clothes before August.
Which three prospects could the Cubs pursue at the MLB trade deadline?
3. Casey Schmitt, 3B, San Francisco Giants
The 23-year-old Casey Schmitt, the San Francisco Giants’ No. 13 prospect entering the 2022 season, is now with the Eugene Emeralds, the club’s High-A affiliate, and has had a fantastic start to the season.
Schmitt, the Giants’ second-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, has made significant offensive strides this season compared to last. In 320 innings at third base, the slick-fielding, power-hitting third baseman has 11 home runs and 33 RBI while making only five errors.
The Giants tried Schmitt out at shortstop for the first time in his professional career in an effort to boost his worth, and he has repaid them with 117 innings of one-error ball through 14 games.
Willson Contreras has been linked to the Giants, so Schmitt would be an intriguing asset for the Cubs to pursue in a hypothetical trade. The fit appears to be there on paper, since the Giants’ catching corps has made few contributions this season, and the Cubs’ top 10 prospects lack a genuine third baseman.
2. Patrick Bailey, C, San Francisco Giants
In a transaction centered on Willson Contreras, the Cubs might get both Patrick Bailey (the Giants’ No. 7 prospect) and the aforementioned Schmitt.
Bailey, a 23-year-old catcher, would provide the Cubs with a long-term alternative behind the plate. Miguel Amaya (No. 13 prospect) is still in the North Siders’ system, but he hasn’t been able to replicate his offensive production from 2018-19 in the past several seasons.
At the plate, Bailey hasn’t produced much at the plate through 41 games this season, but his offensive track record suggests that a turnaround with the bat isn’t impossible, if not likely.
With Joey Bart remaining the Giants’ catcher of the future despite his well-documented problems in the major leagues, Bailey may be viewed as a non-essential asset that the Giants are willing to part with in order to acquire Contreras’ services from Chicago.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 28: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs points towards first base after scoring in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 28, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
1. Ken Waldichuk of the New York Yankees is a left-handed pitcher
The New York Yankees, who could offer Chicago the No. 5 prospect Ken Waldichuk in a trade, are another team that has been linked to Willson Contreras (and maybe a bullpen arm).
Waldichuk, 24, is a left-handed pitcher who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Yankees and has advanced to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The southpaw has a 5-2 record with a 2.01 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 53+ innings in 11 starts split between Double-A and Triple-A.
Waldichuk is an above-average pitcher who doesn’t give up too many walks or home runs. He would be a good addition to the Cubs because he has a strong arm and could help the team later this season or, more likely, next season.
