CHICAGO, IL – May 18: David Robertson and Willson Contreras of the Chicago Cubs high five as they exit the field of play in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on May 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)
Here are three prospects for the Cubs, MLB’s biggest sellers, to target at this year’s MLB trade deadline.
The Chicago Cubs currently sit in fourth place in the NL Central at 25-42, 13.0 games behind the Brewers in the division.
After last year’s firesale at the trade deadline, the club seems destined for another sell-off this year. As far as pieces go for the Cubs to trade, the quality obviously is not the same as it was at this time last year.
No longer are there Kris Bryants, Javier Baezs, Anthony Rizzos to be dealt. Willson Contreras remains the biggest trade chip the Cubs have but there are also rental pitchers David Robertson, Mychal Givens, Drew Smyly and Wade Miley that will most likely end up donning new uniforms come August.
Who are the three prospects the Cubs could target at the MLB trade deadline?
3. San Francisco Giants, 3B, Casey Schmitt
23-year-old Casey Schmitt, the San Francisco Giants‘ No. 13 prospect entering the 2022 season, is currently at the club’s High-A affiliate the Eugene Emeralds and has looked great to begin the year.
Schmitt, the Giants’ second-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, has shown considerable offensive improvements between this year and last. Through 56 games, the slick-fielding, power-hitting third baseman has 11 home runs and 33 RBI while making just five errors at third in over 320 innings.
In an effort to improve his value, the Giants have tried Schmitt out at shortstop for the first time in his professional career and he has rewarded them with 117 innings of one-error ball through 14 games.
It’s been known that the Giants have their eyes on Willson Contreras, so Schmitt would be an intriguing piece for the Cubs to target in a potential deal. The fit is certainly there on paper as the Giants have received minimal contributions from their catching corps this season and the Cubs are without a true third baseman in their top 10 prospects.