Cubs: 3 trade deadline deals to save the core

Any backup catcher

The funniest thing about the Cubs’ trade with the Padres is how the players they sent away are exactly what they need for this run. So after shipping Vic Caratini to San Diego, Chicago also needs to find a backup catcher on the trade market.

The plan behind Willson without Caratini hasn’t worked out. P.J. Higgins is out for the season. Austin Romine is out indefinitely. Jose Lobaton is not a great option. Neither is Tony Wolters.

The series with the Dodgers highlighted their need in that spot. Willson Contreras took a pitch to his hand in a moment that could have been utterly disastrous for the Cubs season.

Even if Contreras isn’t on injury watch, the club risks overusing him without a viable option to give him regular rest on the roster.

The trouble is options are scarce. Manager David Ross even admitted, “baseball’s thin across the board, everywhere,” per NBC Sports.

Someone is better than no one. Maybe Elias Diaz with the Rockies is the answer. If Chicago wanted to get wild, they could look at Jacob Stallings from the Pirates. The Cubs should be asking around.