A Cubs trade to acquire Willson Contreras upgrade after Cardinals move

Sure, the Chicago Cubs lost their catcher, Willson Contreras, to the St. Louis Cardinals. But they have an easy way to one-up them and trade for Sean Murphy.

Initially, the Cubs weren’t in the mix for Sean Murphy of the Oakland Athletics, if only because they felt set at the catcher position with Willson Contreras and Yan Gomes behind him.

It’s safe to suggest that has changed.

Contreras now wears the rival colors of the St. Louis Cardinals, and he’s not leaving Busch Field anytime soon. Contreras signed a surprising five-year contract with St. Louis, tying him with the organization through 2028.

The Cubs must answer, especially if they’re serious about contending in the NL Central next year and in the seasons to come.

So, why not take a page from the Cardinals book, and trade for Sean Murphy?

What a Cubs trade for Sean Murphy would look like

In a sense, Chicago is lucky that two of their top-3 prospects are in MLB’s top-100, and that they are major-league ready. Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), Oakland isn’t looking to enter another long rebuild:

"“The Athletics are seeking major leaguers rather than prospects for Sean Murphy, and telling interested clubs they will keep the catcher if they do not receive a satisfactory trade offer.”"

Murphy has three years left of club control, so one can expect the asking price to be steep. If Jed Hoyer and Co. are to pull off such a move, they’ll have to be willing to part ways with some young players. Thankfully, Murphy himself is under 30, and on an affordable contract which ought to make the Ricketts family happy. It gives the Cubs an opportunity to spend their money elsewhere.

If that seems like a lot for one player, that’s because it is.

Murphy has the makings of an All-Star catcher, but he’s far better behind the plate and at managing a pitching staff than Contreras is.

Gomes would be the immediate replacement behind home for Oakland. Both Davis and Alcantara are ranked in MLB’s top-100 prospects list, and both are MLB-ready. Ben Brown is also ready for the majors, and can come in as a right-handed pitcher out of the bullpen.

The two sides might haggle over some of the spare parts, but it ought to be enough to get them talking, should they wish.