Cubs rumors: 3 biggest trade deadline mistakes they should regret
By Tim Boyle
The MLB trade deadline featured plenty of Chicago Cubs rumors yet fans were left feeling disappointed in the end.
You might need a third hand to count all of the Chicago Cubs rumors from the last few weeks. Viewed as one of the biggest trade deadline sellers, they didn’t quite live up to the expectations at the MLB trade deadline.
The Cubs may have come away as one of the bigger trade deadline losers this past week. By not making enough of those Cubs rumors come true, fans on the north side of Chicago are feeling a little less satisfied today.
So where did the Cubs go wrong most? These three trade deadline mistakes are the reason why one could make the argument that Chicago spent too much time twiddling their thumbs over the last 72+ hours.
1) Cubs rumors: Not trading Willson Contreras was a huge trade deadline error
The Cubs had one of the most desirable trade deadline candidates on their roster. They still do. Willson Contreras was the clear best catcher available at the MLB trade deadline. Due to a shortage of destinations, the Cubs rumors about their All-Star backstop getting dealt elsewhere will go down as myth rather than legend.
The Cubs’ mistake might have been asking for too much. The Houston Astros went a different direction by acquiring Christian Vazquez from the Boston Red Sox. The New York Mets, another favorite to take him on, ended up not adding any catcher at all.
The Cubs will now have a chance to possibly extend Contreras or at least issue him a qualifying offer at the end of the season. If he rejects it, they can get some draft pick compensation.
Odds are, the front office believed they can draft a better player than any of the possible packages they could have gotten in return for Contreras. We’ll have to wait and see if this is indeed the case.