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MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 teams that emerge winners

By Joshua Sadlock

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 23: Jose Quintana #62 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Wrigley Field on July 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 5-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 23: Jose Quintana #62 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Wrigley Field on July 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 5-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – JULY 23: Jose Quintana #62 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Wrigley Field on July 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 5-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JULY 23: Jose Quintana #62 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Wrigley Field on July 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 5-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

2. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs were one of the first teams to jump into trading as the deadline approached. Their deal to acquire Jose Quintana from the White Sox came out of nowhere, but it may have been the spark the Cubs needed to get their season going in the right direction. Joe Maddon’s bunch is 13-3 in the second half heading and have taken over the NL Central, perhaps never to look back.

Quintana’s arrival provided a spark for the Cubs, but Theo Epstein did not stop there. The Cubs stayed active on Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton as well as starters Sonny Gray and Yu Darvish. In the end, Epstein settled for solid left-handed reliever Justin Wilson and Alex Avila from the Detroit Tigers. Wilson comes with several years of team control remaining and Avila is an impact bat who can help Willson Contreras with the catching duties.

Epstein gave up a lot to make these deals, but they are worth it. Neither trade is for this year only as acquiring Aroldis Chapman was last season. Eloy Jimenez has power that makes scouts and front office types drool, but he is a few years away. Dylan Cease is also a few years away, and has less certainty than Quintana. Jeimer Candelario is ready for the big leagues now, but is blocked forever at third base by Kris Bryant.

The Cubs had a very productive trade deadline and are pointed up in the right direction. Epstein had a clear plan and executed it without giving up a single young player from his MLB roster. Making two impact trades without giving up Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ or Javy Baez is quite a feat.

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