Cubs rumors: Chicago may need new trade partner for Willson Contreras

The team once believed to be a favorite to headline the trade deadline Chicago Cubs rumors to land Willson Contreras is fading.

Every one of the Chicago Cubs rumors to hit the wire will involve the team selling. Headlining the class of players that are guaranteed to be on the move is catcher Willson Contreras. The problem the Cubs may be facing is finding a landing spot.

One might think there would be a line of teams hoping to add Contreras. That might be the case if this was the offseason. In July, it’s a little different. Contreras has only worked with the Cubs pitchers, and changing things behind the plate midseason comes with a risk.

And unfortunately, the team many expected to appear in many Cubs rumors leading up to the trade deadline is fading.

Cubs rumors: The Giants may soon have no interest trading for Willson Contreras

The San Francisco Giants aren’t so big after all. After hanging around as one of the three good teams in the National League West, they slipped into what looked to be a safe bet to compete for a Wild Card berth. Lately, things haven’t been going their way.

Throughout 2022, one look at the roster hinted at this reality. They have some pitching. Notably, it’s Carlos Rodon and Logan Webb playing well. The offense, outside of Joc Pederson, is made up of outcasts from other organizations and veterans like Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt. This looks to be the year where they could be closer to joining Buster Posey in retirement. Neither player has been particularly good.

It was a shock to see the 2021 Giants win a historic 107 games. They just didn’t seem to be that good. Something seemed to convince them that they could repeat this magic in 2022. Unfortunately for them, it’s not going that way.

What does this mean for Chicago? It means those Cubs rumors about Contreras possibly going to San Francisco to help boost their offense are nearing death. Why would they trade for a catcher heading toward free agency? Even if the Giants don’t completely fade in the playoff race, they’d be buying too high for a player likely to test the open market.

The Cubs are going to have to hope another contender has as great of a need behind the plate — and at it, too — as the Giants. It was a natural fit between the two with the Giants having plenty of minor league talent to swap with Chicago.

This could be the worst-case scenario for the Cubs at the trade deadline. Unless, of course, mass hysteria occurs and the Cubs send Contreras to the St. Louis Cardinals. Brace yourself for that storm.