Cubs have 1 trade down and many more to go as deadline closes in – The Athletic

SAN FRANCISCO — “Good to see you,” Cubs pitcher Justin Steele said as he walked past David Robertson in Oracle Park’s visiting clubhouse Saturday afternoon, less than 72 hours before the trade deadline. It also marked a year to the day since the deals that sent Kris Bryant to the Giants and Javier Báez to the Mets, leaving the Cubs without a clear identity. “Hey, I’m still here,” Robertson said to Steele. Not for long. Everyone understands the situation here. You can see it in the slightly bemused/annoyed looks on players’ faces when reporters approach their lockers or follow along on the clubhouse TVs tuned to MLB Network. Robertson, the closer who represented himself in negotiations with Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, prepared for this possibility by structuring a $100,000 relocation bonus into his one-year, $3.5 million contract. The sell-off began Saturday with a trade that shipped reliever Chris Martin to the Dodgers for utility player Zach McKinstry. Remember, if Hoyer could trade Anthony Rizzo last summer, then no Cubs player will be off-limits in trade talks. The #Cubs today acquired INF Zach McKinstry from the Dodgers for RHP Chris Martin. pic.twitter.com/EEUir6XhrC — Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 30, 2022…
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