The trade deadline is a little over a month away but it is never too early to start looking at possible trades the Chicago Cubs might make. Theo Epstein has shown in the past that he is not afraid to make moves earlier than the deadline to try and beat the rush. Last year he traded for Jose Quintana on July 13th, two weeks before the deadline. We are going to look at the MLB roster for the Cubs and see who could be traded and who will never be traded.

Untouchables

Anthony Rizzo / Kris Bryant

These two not only make humorous commercials together, they also anchor the Cubs lineup. Both players are under contract until 2022. They are both potential all-stars every single year and are also near the top of the league in a lot of offensive categories. The Cubs would be smart to lock them up in Chicago for as long as they want to be there.

Jon Lester

The first of the big free agent signings for the Cubs, he has been the heart and soul of the rotation. Besides struggling some his first year with the Cubs, he has been the ace they were hoping for when they signed him. Hopefully he ends his career with the Cubs

Kyle Hendricks

The Professor, as they like to call him, has been solid for the Cubs since coming up to the big club. He led the league in ERA two years ago and was solid again last year. He has his ups and downs this year but he is a solid number two starter for the Cubs.

Not Going Anywhere This Year

Willson Contreras

While he is struggling some from the plate this year, his defense and arm is about as good as any other catcher in the league. He will probably never be traded, but definitely not this year. He has been very good for the Cubs and most teams would love him on their team.

Brandon Morrow

Besides tweaking his back putting on pants, Morrow has been very good for the Cubs. The Cubs signed him to be the closer and he has done a great job in that role. He isn’t going anywhere this year, but we will see how the rest of the season plays out for his future with the Cubs.

Jason Heyward

At the beginning of the year he looked like a player that could come up at the trade deadline, but since then he has started to hit more and the Cubs have gotten the player they thought they were signing two years ago. His defense has never been a question and he is a great clubhouse guy. If he keeps hitting, the Cubs will keep him for his whole contract.

Ben Zobrist

Zobrist is a great teammate and has hit the ball better this year after a dismal and injury filled 2017 season. He is also very versatile, being able to play many positions. He is exactly the type of guy Joe Maddon and Epstein love. He is not going anywhere.

Jose Quintana

Quintana has been pretty good for the Cubs since coming over from the White Sox. Epstein did not trade away a top prospect to give up on him a year later. He has been a solid number three starter for the Cubs and he is still under control until 2021. The Cubs could do a lot worse for a third starter.

Yu Darvish

Darvish has been a disappointment for the Cubs so far and is currently on the DL with no timetable for return. While a lot of fans would hope he would get traded, there is no way the Cubs do that. They would not get close to the value they would want for him and they would probably have to swallow a lot of his contract. No way they give up on him this quickly.

Kyle Schwarber

Schwarber dedicated himself to becoming a better defender in the off season and it has paid off. He currently leads the league in outfield assists. His batting average is still hovering around .250 but he has cut his strikeouts down and gotten on base more. He seemed to be the talk of trades in the off season but the Cubs would not let him go. The Cubs like him and unless they get blown away by an offer he is not going anywhere.

Javier Baez

He strikes out too much and barely walks, but Baez is a plus defender and when he gets hot hitting the ball it is fun to watch. The Cubs again seem to really like him and are not going to let him go.

Albert Almora Jr.

Almora Jr has played great in center for the Cubs this year. He is also hitting over .300 this year and many fans are yelling that he should be playing everyday. Maybe he should but the Cubs are definitely not going to get rid of him. Especially if they really do have interest in Manny Machado. Machado and Almora Jr and childhood friends and keeping him is definitely a selling point to get Machado in Chicago.

Carl Edwards Jr / Pedro Strop / Randy Rosario

These three relievers have pitched really well for the Cubs this year. Stop has been solid all year long. Rosario has been great since being called up. Edwards Jr has been solid except for the last few times out but that could have been due to his sore arm. All three of these guys have been an anchor for the Cubs to get them to Morrow in the 9th. A team would have to be given up a ransom to pry any of these guys away.

If the Price is Right

Tyler Chatwood

Chatwood was brought over as a low risk, high reward type of pitcher. He pitched in Colorado and his splits on the road were pretty good, and the Cubs were hoping to get that pitcher. While he has not been horrible he has not been great either. His walks are way to high, but he has given the Cubs some quality innings. He probably won’t be traded but if a team calls about him and the price is right I could Epstein flipping him.

Tommy La Stella

La Stella has been a great pinch hitter for the Cubs. But he barely plays in the field. He definitely has a place here with the Cubs but if someone comes calling thinking they can make him an everyday player Epstein might listen. If they could get a good deal for him, he may be a surprise trade target.

Chris Gimenez

The Cubs have some guys in the minors they could pull up to be a backup catcher if they got rid of Gimenez. The Cubs seemed to sign him to help with Darvish but then they left him in the minors to start the year. Since he has come up Darvish has been on the DL so we really have not seen if he has been a help for him. They probably won’t trade him but again a guy that could be a add on in a trade.

Anthony Bass / Luke Farrell / Justin Hancock / Rob Zastryzny

These relievers have been decent for the Cubs but they are all fringe big leaguers. They could be a guy that is thrown in with another trade. Some other teams may think they could be solid middle guys for them and give the Cubs a good offer. While none of these guys are likely to be gone, I would not be surprised if they were traded.

Brian Duesning / Steve Cishek

Both of these guys have been pretty good middle relievers for the Cubs. They seem to be both great clubhouse guys also. Again guys that the Cubs probably will hold on to. But they could be guys that help the Cubs get a Machado or a starter.

Most Likely To Be Gone

Addison Russell

Russell has been the number one name in rumors for trades this summer. Everyone has heard the rumor about him being traded to the Orioles for Manny Machado. Epstein has tried to put those rumors to rest but there is still a decent possibility this trade happens. Especially if Machado would sign an extension with the Cubs after the trade. Russell’s batting average is up this year and defensively he is still solid, but he is no Machado. As much as some fans rather keep him and make a run for Harper in free agency this seems like the most likely to happen.

Ian Happ

Happ played well last year and then had a great spring in Arizona. Unfortunately that has not carried over to the regular season. Happ has swung and missed at more pitches then anyone in the National League. There is still plenty of upside for the Cubs and with a crowded outfield the Cubs could look to flip him for a reliever or a starter. Do not be surprised if he is traded at the deadline.

Justin Wilson

Wilson has not been very good since coming over from the Tigers last year. The Cubs thought they were getting a solid left handed arm out of the pen that could even possibly develop into a closer for them. He has been none of these. He walks too many men out of the pen and the Cubs fans hold their breath every time he is out there. Epstein would definitely flip him if he could find a trade partner. Maybe someone who thinks a change of scenery would bring back the old Wilson.

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