Fansided

Cubs: 3 fan favorites who should be traded at deadline

By Miranda Remaklus

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 04: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs throws out a runner during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 04, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 04: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs throws out a runner during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 04, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Cubs
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 18: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on June 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

A year removed from a trade deadline that saw the departure of fan favorites, the Chicago Cubs appear on their way to having another sad deadline day.

The 2021 season saw the departure of many Chicago Cub fan favorites. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo seemed destined to be Cubs forever.

But things change. Star players can decline and club leadership sees a need to bolster their clubs and rebuild.

The Cubs are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak with a record of 34-55 heading into the All-Star break. With the team already in the dumps, this season is shaping up to see the departure of another crop of fan favorites and ultimately solidifying a changing of the guard from the 2016 World Series championship team that seemed hopeful for dynasty status.

The Cubs wanted to skirt the idea they were in the midst of a rebuild, but with rumors flying high of a serious roster change, it’s safe to say the Cubs are building toward a youth movement.

So who are some of the Cubbie fan favorites we could see with other teams soon?

Cubs fan favorite to trade at the deadline: Willson Contreras

The rumor mill is working overtime on where Contreras could land once the Aug. 2 trade deadline is passed. He is currently working on a one-year contract worth $9.625 million. He will be a free agent after this season. That said, the Cubs will likely want to part ways with Contreras while they can still get something for him and not in free agency.

The three-time All-Star catcher is hitting .258/.373/.466 with 17 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs, 47 runs scored, and 35 RBI. He has an OPS of .839. He has -5 defensive runs saved. That’s not good and makes you wonder if those numbers would turn around if he were on a better all-around defensive team.

Contreras has obviously felt at home with Chicago, but it’s telling that he’s been the subject of trade rumors for a couple of seasons now. That has to create unfortunate stress. Hopefully, Contreras is moved to a team where he can have a nice change of scenery and feel a chance to have a new home with a chance to set some roots. Given a chance to settle down, Contreras can continue to grow as a player and a leader.

A trade to a new team would be good for him and given his stats, it should be as equally a good situation for the Cubs given what they could net in return.

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