Fansided

3 former beloved Cubs failing on new teams and 1 who’s not

By Miranda Remaklus

Willson Contreras (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
Willson Contreras (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /
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A general view of Wrigley Field. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
A general view of Wrigley Field. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

They were once beloved figures on the 2016 World Championship-winning Cubs. Now, on different teams, the once magical group struggles on their new teams.  

After the 2016 World Series, it was believed the Chicago Cubs would become a dynasty and dominate the National League for years. Instead of that, the team steadily declined over the next several seasons.

It started with the Cubs parting ways with Joe Maddon after the 2019 season, as the Cubs couldn’t maintain their winning ways from 2016. David Ross was hired as the team’s new manager. It was believed he would stoke the 2016 magic, as he was one of the team’s catchers that season. Instead, the Cubs couldn’t recapture that magic, and the team went into a rebuild mode.

Anthony Rizzo was traded to the Yankees in 2021, where he has found success. Kris Bryant was traded to the Giants in 2021 and has since signed with the Rockies. Javier Baez was traded to the Mets in 2021 and has since signed with the Tigers.

Cubs: 3 former fan favorites failing miserably on new teams and 1 who’s not

Why Willson Contreras isn’t failing on his new team

Willson Contreras was in limbo for much of the 2021 and 2022 seasons as team management couldn’t decide what to do with the player. Contreras and Ian Happ thought they were being traded at the deadline and were practically said goodbye to during the last game before the deadline. The two weren’t traded after going through all that drama.

Happ is still with the Cubs, but Contreras signed a free-agent contract with the Cubs’ long-time rival, the Cardinals. Contreras has a five-year $87.5 million deal with the team.

Much to the chagrin of Cubs fans, Contreras is doing well for the Cardinals, who are not doing well with a 10-18 record. While the team is off to a terrible start, Contreras has started heating up and is slashing .264/.350/.402 with an OPS of .752. After a month with the team, he’s hit six doubles, two stolen bases, two home runs, and 11 RBI.

It has to be nice to know you’re wanted by the team you play on. It would be challenging not to see where you stand with your employer.

Let’s examine the struggles of other former Cubs.

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