Numerous MLB executives told ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan that the Chicago Cubs are in desperation mode as they look to shake things up and make a trade this winter.
Passan uses a whole lot of words to describe the Cubs' desire to make a move:
The Chicago Cubs have been, according to various executives, “aggressive,” “manic,” “motivated” and “obvious” in their desire to trade someone. Or someones. The Cubs are going to make a move. They're just not sure what yet.
Passan had reported earlier in November that the Cubs were reportedly making catcher Willson Contreras available in trade talks, particularly given the market demand for catching assets:
Multiple teams in search of catching help believe Cubs catcher Willson Contreras will be available this winter. The Cubs will get creative this winter, and with a deep catching free agent market, they could trade Contreras and begin retooling under new manager David Ross.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 8, 2019
Contreras' value seemingly skyrocketed after the White Sox signed Yasmani Grandal and the Braves inked fellow backstop Travis d'Arnaud. He still has three more years of control (including this season), and he has established himself as one of the best hitting catchers in baseball.
While Contreras would likely net a nice return of prospects — which the Cubs need desperately after depleting their farm over the course of the last four years — moving him also would not cut costs quite like if the Cubs were able to trade someone such as third baseman Kris Bryant.
The former NL MVP is projected to make $18.5 million this season, according to spotrac. However, Passan iterates that the price tag that accompanies Bryant — as well as his pending service time grievance — make him tougher to deal.
Chicago had the second-highest payroll in the MLB last season, but they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
President Theo Epstein has continuously vowed to keep an open mind and consider all possibilities, and it would seem that the Cubs are looking for avenues to acquire prospects while still trying to compete in 2020.
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