Cubs: 3 next moves to make after the trade deadline
By Tim Boyle
The trade deadline has passed but the Chicago Cubs still have a few moves to make in regards to the roster and playing time.
The Chicago Cubs had an active trade deadline yet left many wondering why they didn’t trade a few more players. Willson Contreras and Ian Happ were the two big names to stay. They also still have all of their starting pitchers who could have potentially become trade candidates.
Where do the Cubs go now?
Chicago is stretching this rebuild out for as long as they can. It started last summer. There are still more moves to make. Now with the trade deadline as a past tense event, these are the three moves the Cubs should make next.
1. Cubs should extend Willson Contreras
Willson Contreras should stay with the Cubs. It’s best for him. It’s best for them. The match has been great and if Contreras does get into free agency he could find himself having a tough time getting a better deal than the one the Cubs could offer.
Contreras already has familiarity with the Chicago pitching staff which carries over well with any holdovers from this season into next. More importantly, he knows the city. He understands the fans. He’s a block the team can continue to build around.
When the Cubs went out and move the offseason moves they did such as signing Marcus Stroman, they appeared ready to start winning again sooner than later. You don’t sign Stroman to such a lucrative deal with plans of losing. It hasn’t worked out for the team this year. Next season, if they get in on bigger-name free agents, they could be looking at better days in the near future.
At best, the Cubs will get draft pick compensation for Contreras if he rejects a qualifying offer. Or better yet, they extend him before the opportunity for him to leave even happens.