MLB Trade Deadline: Willson Contreras tops Cubs Power Rankings

Pleased Joc Pederson Day.

It was on the Thursday after the All-Star Recreation, earlier than the Cubs opened the second half of the season, that final summer time’s nine-man roster purge started with their commerce of Pederson to the Braves for prospect Bryce Ball.

Let The Purge 2.022 start.

A 12 months in the past, the Cubs had been simply two video games below .500, 8 1/2 video games out of first and in third place once they began a selloff that included 5 former All-Stars, their prime three back-end bullpen arms and, in fact, three All-Star, championship core gamers in Anthony Rizzo, Javy Báez and Kris Bryant.

This time, they’re 22 video games below .500, 14 1/2 video games out of first and in fourth place as they open a three-game collection in Philadelphia Friday with 70 video games to play — leaving the largest questions who’s going first and the way near the deadline do the Cubs go earlier than buying and selling All-Star championship-core catcher Willson Contreras.

Even because the clock ticked inside the ultimate three weeks earlier than the deadline, Contreras stated the looming deadline nonetheless was not weighing on his thoughts.

Not that it’s one thing he desires.

“It’s one thing that I’m not anxious about,” he stated.

Moreover, he’s already cleared the one, large hurdle that was near his coronary heart this month — avoiding a pre-All-Star commerce that assured he would signify Chicago in a Cubs uniform at the very least another, third time. And alongside his brother William of the Braves, no much less.

Past that, Contreras stated he hasn’t spent loads of time questioning how near the deadline the Cubs would possibly wait to leverage the marketplace for what is perhaps the highest hitter available on the market this facet of a Juan Soto lottery-ticket blockbuster.

“They’re in all probability ready for the correct time, to listen to affords from different groups to see in the event that they’re getting good affords to make trades or not,” stated Contreras, who says he nonetheless hasn’t heard any indication the crew is contemplating a last-minute extension provide.

If something, he retains that risk in thoughts when he considers when and the place he would possibly find yourself.

“That’s a part of the enterprise. You will have a fantastic man; you have got a great crew, and you’ve got a man that everyone loves, proper?” he stated. “However you’re going to attend to see, ‘what kind of affords do I get from different groups, and if it doesn’t make sense I’ll preserve my man.’

“That’s how I see it. I don’t know if I’m proper or incorrect. I’m placing myself of their sneakers.”

Possibly.

However, if the Cubs don’t plan to make a severe push for a contract extension (and the ship seems to have lengthy sailed on that), then that is the membership’s solely shot at getting vital worth for Contreras earlier than shedding him to free company.

“Most likely,” he stated with amusing.

If the Cubs plan to contend once more within the subsequent two or three years, it stays inexplicable that they haven’t been aggressive sufficient to get a big five- or six-year deal executed with the best-hitting, athletic, strong-armed catcher within the sport — throughout a universal-DH period that already has allowed him to play extra usually and pump up his offensive numbers.

As an alternative, they’re marking Joc Pederson Day with the ultimate days of the Willson Contreras Commerce Watch.

“I’m probably not placing my thoughts into how a lot time I’ve earlier than the commerce deadline. I’m simply attempting to take pleasure in this ballclub as a lot as I can,” he stated.

“I’m actually good with it. I’m actually settled. I’m actually at peace with every thing”

This week’s Commerce Chip Energy Rankings:

1. Willson Contreras (final week: 2) — Would possibly Soto’s availability on the commerce market drive Contreras’ market?

Contemplate that Soto, 23, will take a boatload of prime prospects from a crew with its eye on signing the younger famous person to a long-term contract someplace north of the 15-year, $440 million extension provide he reportedly turned down from the Nationals.

For any of a number of groups attempting to win now and staring onerous at that temptation, the versatile, hard-hitting Contreras would possibly begin wanting much more fascinating at a strong-but-sane price. Only one approach to have a look at the potential influence.

2. Marcus Stroman (final week: 3) — Don’t sleep on the chance sufficient groups will wade into the $23-million-a-year finish of the beginning pitching pool to stir a robust sufficient marketplace for the Cubs to deal final winter’s large pitching free agent — even barely two workload-limited begins again from an injured-list stint (shoulder).

The expansion this 12 months of homegrown pitchers Keegan Thompson and Justin Steele solely add to the intrigue for a rebuilding Cubs crew beginning to see projectable depth from its younger big-leaguers and upper-minors prospects.

3. Ian Happ (final week: 1) — Happ falls two spots by way of no fault of his personal, particularly after coming off the bench and drawing a stroll in his first All-Star sport Tuesday.

Whereas his worth stays excessive — and his availability apparent — there stays simply sufficient intrigue in his worth as a veteran constructing block going ahead to recommend the Cubs may make the cheap pivot towards extension talks, if not a can-kicking transfer to make that decision over the winter.

RELATED: Happ’s emotional swing: Non-tender candidate to All-Star

4. David Robertson (final week: 4) — Two scoreless innings Saturday in an extra-inning loss to the Mets and a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his thirteenth save Sunday because the Cubs snapped a nine-game shedding streak preserve Robertson within the combine to win the Joc Pederson Award as the primary Cub traded this month.

His 1.93 ERA and 0.991 WHIP make him not solely a favourite for Comeback Participant of the Yr within the league this 12 months but additionally one of many prime bullpen items available on the market.

5. Mychal Givens (final week: 5) — Did somebody say prime bullpen items?

The hard-throwing Givens placed on an influence showcase in opposition to the Padres, Braves, Cardinals, Crimson Sox, Brewers, Dodgers and Mets over the previous month (no earned runs allowed).

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