3 Cubs who have played themselves into being trade bait at the deadline

These three players will give the Cubs their greatest chance at retooling for the future at the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline.

It was only two weeks ago the Cubs were in first place in the NL Central and in a prime position to be buyers at the trade deadline. Since then, Chicago has lost 11 of 12 contests and they’ve fallen 8.5 games behind the division lead. At this dramatic rate, the Cubs may look to ship off their assets before July 30.

President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer met with the media on Thursday and didn’t shy away from the reality of the team heading into the deadline as sellers.

The team’s core group of position players consisting of Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and Anthony Rizzo will each become free agents at the end of the year. Not far behind is Willson Contreras, who is free-agent eligible in 2023.

It’s unclear as to whether or not a deal(s) will be worked out, but it hasn’t up to this point, so now the team might be better off getting some sort of value rather than letting these players walk away for nothing in return. This would avoid the issues the Cubs have had with the likes of Addison Russell, Albert Almora, and Kyle Schwarber. Each was a top prospect at one point, but eventually lost value and left without the Cubs receiving anything but regrets about what could have been.

3. Cubs trade rumors: Left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin could fetch a nice return

There are plenty of unpredictable things in the sport of baseball, but one certainty for every season is the demand for relief pitchers at the deadline. This season will be no different, and there won’t be any shortage of contenders looking at left-hander Andrew Chafin.

The 31-year-old is in his eighth big-league season, and he’s been amongst the best relievers in the majors. In 39 appearances this season, Chafin has posted a 1.43 ERA, 0.743 WHIP, and an 8.1 K/9 rate across 37.2 innings.

Chafin has also held his own regardless of which side of the plate he’s facing. He’s held left-handed hitters to a .158 batting average, and righties to a .129 BA this season.

The Cubs owe Chafin $5.25 million in 2021 before he becomes a free agent this winter. They might as well get something for him while they can.