After being traded

 

The 2021 MLB trade deadline was on Friday, July 30 at 4 p.m. ET. Some blockbuster trades did happen. The Nationals sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Dodgers and acquired 4 prospects. In addition, the Chicago Cubs, 2016 World Series Championship, made several big moves such as sending former MVP Kris Bryant to the Giants.

In total, the Cubs sent 9 players in July. After being traded, do these players play well in their new uniforms? 

Firstly, let’s look at position players. The 2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant was traded to the San Francisco Giants. Before joining the Giants, Bryant played 93 games for the Cubs and he slashed .267/.358/.503 with 18 home runs and 51 RBI. Kris Bryant blasted a home run in his Giants debut and by far, he played 8 games for the Giants, hitting .323/.382/.516 with 1 home run and 3 RBI.

Moreover, Jake Marisnick and the Cubs agreed to a deal in February. Marisnick played 65 games for the Cubs and batted .227/.294/.438 with 5 home runs and 22 RBI. Marisnick was sent to the Padres and he is still looking for his first homer in the Padres uniform.

In addition, “El Mago” Javier Baez was traded to the New York Mets and reunited with Francisco Lindor, his teammate in Puerto Rico. Baez was hitting .248/.292/.484 with 22 home runs and 65 RBI in the Cubs uniform. Baez launched a two-run shot in his Mets debut, but so far, his batting average is below .200 after being traded to the big apple.

Anthony Rizzo made his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres in 2011 and he was traded to the Cubs in 2012. Rizzo spent 10 years at in Chicago and he slashed .272/.372/.489 with 242 home runs and 784 RBI. This season, Rizzo was hitting .248/.346/.446 as a Chicago Cub and after joining the Yankees, he is hitting .281/.400/.563 with 3 home runs and 6 RBI. But, unfortunately, Rizzo was tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently on the COVID-19-related injured list.

Furthermore, Joc Pederson signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs and he played 73 games before being traded to the Braves on July 15. Pederson was hitting .230/.300/.418 as a Cub and as a Brave, Pederson is batting .295/.360/.474 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI thus far.  

Now, let’s look at pitchers. Craig Kimbrel already collected 371 saves in his career and he’s the active leader for saves in the majors. Kimbrel signed a 3-year contract with the Cubs after winning the World Series Champion with the Red Sox. However, Kimbrel wasn’t sharp in his first two seasons with the Cubs, posting a 6.53 ERA in 2019 and a 5.28 ERA last year. But, Kimbrel is sharp again this season and collected 23 saves with a 0.49 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP as the Cubs’ closer. Nonetheless, Kimbrel is still looking for his first save after moving to the south side.

Ryan Tepera was traded to the White Sox on July 29 and he already tossed 4.2 innings for the White Sox. Previously, Tepera made 43 relief appearances for the Cubs, posting a 2.91 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP.

Andrew Chafin is another pitcher who’s been pitching well in the bullpen this season. Chafin tossed 39.1 innings for the Cubs and posted a 2.06 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. He was traded to the Oakland Athletics and already made 6 relief appearances without giving up a run.

Moreover, Trevor Williams threw 58.2 innings for the Cubs and he was traded to the Mets with Javier Baez. William is currently pitching at Syracuse Mets.

The Chicago Cubs look very different now aftering sending 9 players in July. Players such as Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Joc Pederson are hitting well at new homes. However, Javier Baez only hit .176 so far and probably needs some time to heat up. In addition, Craig Kimbrel is still looking for his first save in the south side, but Ryan Tepera is pitching well. Andrew Chafin has a good season so far and pitching in the AL isn’t a big problem for him. It’s just the first week for some players to play in the new uniforms. With around two months to go, how will these players perform?