Chicago Cubs Trade Deadline Blues: The Unmovables

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The end of July will see the Chicago Cubs as trade deadline sellers. It’s hard to imagine too many untouchables with a roster such as this. However, given the rampant underperformance throughout the roster, a handful will be labeled unmovable. 

That lack of mobility largely stems from contracts. If it’s a health thing, we’re probably not discussing them as a trade candidate. In the case of contracts, the term or the dollars are both hindrances to prospective teams’ willingness to pursue. There’s also (obviously) a performance factor. I’m not going to pretend to know math as far as the former is concerned. I teach American Lit. But it’s easy to know when a contract is an obstacle, especially when combined with performance. As is the case with our first (and second) unmovable. 

Dansby Swanson isn’t going anywhere. There have been some minor flashes, but he’s ultimately in the midst of his worst offensive season. He’s hitting .204 and reaching base at a mere .281 clip. He’s striking out almost 28 percent of the time and offering a .136 ISO. Those aren’t just career-worsts. Those are Swanson bottoming out entirely. The defensive metrics have returned, but even that element of his game hasn’t passed the eye test as frequently. Signed through 2029 at an AAV near $26 million, there isn’t a team out there inquiring. 

Kyle Hendricks is on the opposite end of the (term? sentiment?) spectrum. He’s carrying a $16 million AAV on his deal this year, the last of his five-year deal. That deal might not be so cumbersome if Hendricks was near his best. But he’s been a shell this year. His ERA is north of seven. His FIP is 5.40. A BB% of 7.1 is his worst mark as a Cub. Hendricks is also allowing 1.85 homers per nine innings. Everything about him – much to our collective chagrin – is screaming cooked. No team is acquiring him currently. Perhaps he can latch on with a smaller deal in the offseason, but he’s not a factor here.

In the blend of contract & performance, we should probably throw Hector Nerís into the discussion. He’s on a $9 million deal with a vesting option after 60 appearances. He’s at 33 thus far. Each one is seemingly shakier than the last. A 15.8 BB% is the worst of his career and the fourth highest among relief pitchers. His whiff rate has plummeted, and his contact rate is high. It’s quality stuff, too. A 39.8 HardHit% is roughly 12 points above last year. Nope. He’s here.

Same with Drew Smyly. There is no vesting option (only a mutual one), but he’s playing on a $9.5 million deal and has had issues with command and flyballs this year. The Cubs aren’t eating significant cash just to move him. He’s probably worth grouping with the others.

There was a point last year where Jameson Taillon might’ve been considered for this list. But he’s pitched well enough and is only 32 with two affordable years remaining. A team needing stability, like Baltimore or San Diego, might be interested. 

I suppose it’s somewhat good news that it’s a relatively small group of immovable guys. While there likely aren’t any that will fetch some massive return for impact talent, the front office should be able to build up a future roster pretty nicely if navigated appropriately. Of course, whether they can be trusted to do so is another discussion. 

Nevertheless, we do have one certainty for this year’s trade deadline. Dansby Swanson will be a Cub well down the line. Kyle Hendricks will be a Cub at least through this year. Hector Nerís will be a Cub this year and maybe even next. Those jerseys will at least get a little extra run than some current teammates.

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