Headlines

  • Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow
  • Astros To Promote Brice Matthews
  • Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers
  • Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help
  • Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays
  • Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Which 15 Players Should The Cubs Protect In An Expansion Draft?

By Tim Dierkes | May 26, 2020 at 7:00pm CDT

In a few weeks, we’ll be running a two-team mock expansion draft here at MLBTR – just for the fun of it!  Currently, we’re creating 15-player protected lists for each of the existing 30 teams.  You can catch up on the rules for player eligibility here.

So far, we’ve covered the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Rangers, Mariners, Athletics, Angels, Astros, Twins, Royals, Tigers, Indians, White Sox, Rays, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Orioles.  The Cubs are up next.

First, we’ll remove free agents Jon Lester, Daniel Descalso, Tyler Chatwood, Jose Quintana, Jeremy Jeffress, and Steven Souza from consideration.  I’ll assume Anthony Rizzo’s $16.5MM club option is exercised and the Cubs use a protected spot on him.  I’ll lock in Jason Heyward, Craig Kimbrel, and Yu Darvish due to their no-trade clauses.  We’ll protect these 11 players out of the gate:

Anthony Rizzo
Jason Heyward
Craig Kimbrel
Yu Darvish
Nico Hoerner
Kyle Hendricks
Kris Bryant
Javier Baez
Willson Contreras
Ian Happ
Kyle Schwarber

That leaves four spots for 17 remaining players:

Albert Almora Jr.
Adbert Alzolay
David Bote
Victor Caratini
Jharel Cotton
Robel Garcia
Dillon Maples
Alec Mills
James Norwood
Colin Rea
Kyle Ryan
Casey Sadler
Ryan Tepera
Duane Underwood Jr.
Rowan Wick
Brad Wieck
Dan Winkler

With that, we turn it over to the MLBTR readership! In the poll below (direct link here), select exactly four players you think the Cubs should protect in our upcoming mock expansion draft. Click here to view the results.

Create your own user feedback survey

Share 0 Retweet 8 Send via email0

2020 Mock Expansion Draft Chicago Cubs MLBTR Originals

MLB Presents Economic Plan To MLBPA
Main
Did The Mets Rob The Astros?
View Comments (47)
Post a Comment

47 Comments

  1. tapnager

    5 years ago

    Umm. Who scored higher on their SATs?

    1
    Reply
    • The Human Rain Delay

      5 years ago

      Great response !

      Reply
  2. ortsacnilrats

    5 years ago

    Outside of the top 5-6 on the protected keepers I unfortunately have to say…yuck. Adbert and maybe Caratini but they already are catcher rich so maybe only keep him for trade bait?

    Reply
  3. myaccount

    5 years ago

    Alzolay and Caratini. Uh… I guess Almora and Underwood? Yikes. I don’t know for 3 and 4.

    Reply
  4. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    why is Steele on the list, may I ask?

    Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      5 years ago

      That’s a mistake on my part, thanks for noticing. I’ll fix it.

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        5 years ago

        no problemo. by the way, o think Payamps and Takashaki from the D-Backs also didnt get any service time last year.

        Reply
  5. citizen

    5 years ago

    If the cubs are leaving Heyward protected this point is moot.

    1
    Reply
    • brewpackbuckbadg

      5 years ago

      They have to with his no trade clause.

      Reply
    • wordonthestreet

      5 years ago

      If you read the article you would understand why Heyward is protected. Funny how that works

      Reply
  6. Bet Your Sweet Bippy

    5 years ago

    Caratini, Alzolay, Wick, and Almora if I have to pick a 4th.

    1
    Reply
    • Dogbone

      5 years ago

      Caratini for sure, followed by Wick.
      After that, two of: Wieck, Ryan or Mills.
      And Almora would be the first one, I’d recall , if that’s possible.

      Reply
      • wordonthestreet

        5 years ago

        Sounds good dogbone!

        Reply
  7. The Human Toilet

    5 years ago

    I got Caratini, Alzolay, Bote and Wieck.

    I will take my chances losing Wick in the draft and confident Almora will be passed on, but for sure they will take Bote since he can play all around the infield.

    I am keeping Wieck because he is a power lefty that show signs of turning the corner when he came to the Cubs, it is a gamble but I think it is worth it.

    Reply
  8. solaris602

    5 years ago

    There really aren’t any slam dunks on that list. Caratini and Alzolay are probables, and I did have Bote as well, but based on the fact that he was extended (head scratcher) and his stock has fallen ever since, maybe hope he gets drafted to save payroll? As for #4 just throw a dart at the list which is pretty depressing when you look at it.

    Reply
  9. bigbadjohnny

    5 years ago

    Caratini, Ryan, Bote, Mills

    Reply
    • CowboysoldierFTW

      5 years ago

      That’s my list too. But blah its an ugly list.

      Reply
  10. Chubbies

    5 years ago

    Caratini,Alzolay,Bote. Can I just forfeit my 4th pick ? I quit lol

    Reply
  11. jorge78

    5 years ago

    Shoeless Daniel!

    Reply
  12. Deleted Userrr

    5 years ago

    Went with Adbert Alzolay, David Bote, Victor Caratini and Brad Wieck.

    1
    Reply
  13. Mrtwotone

    5 years ago

    Caratini, Bote, Mills, and Tepera as the wild card

    Reply
    • ReverieDays

      5 years ago

      Tepera is 100% replaceable by just about any other middle of the road righty reliever.

      Reply
  14. Thomas Bliss

    5 years ago

    Almora and Bote are 2 a like from a outsiders view. Fun guys to watch.

    Reply
  15. jide

    5 years ago

    Whoever is left unprotected is not getting drafted

    Reply
  16. citizen

    5 years ago

    Um, it’s not a trade, it’s a mock draft.

    Reply
  17. wedgeant27

    5 years ago

    It seems alphabetical order is the correct answer!

    Reply
    • ABCD

      5 years ago

      Agree. The unprotected are Robel and the 12 relievers, though I do like Wick and Wieck.

      Reply
  18. The Human Rain Delay

    5 years ago

    Surprised not that many want to see where Robel Garcia goes…I got him and Vic as the easier 2 in –

    Rowan Wick was pretty much there best Rp last year in a pen that was bottom barrel- I know he might have overachieved but damn he reminds me of a converted Catcher the Cubs had pitch like 8-10 years ago….cant remember his name (Was simple name too like Rich Hill) agh Randy Wells it was, simple delivery fast worker, blue collar work blue collar results….. not the worst to save if your bullpen is complete trash and your trying to compete still

    Lastly I guess Alzolay or Ryan if you think he can ever find the strike zone….either way I dont think these guys get taken- The probably take Bote as they have already made him an extension offer but Im not the biggest fan of him….I know the Cubs and fans like him a lot though

    Weak bunch being relative

    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      5 years ago

      Bote is just not that good at baseball. I mean he is ok on the bench but Maddon played him too much.

      Reply
  19. WarkMohlers

    5 years ago

    Alzolay, Bote, Caratini, Wick. But I might switch Wick and Wieck. Almora seems to have shown what he is, in my opinion. Glove first lackluster bat, it would be a tough loss but compared to losing any of the others it doesn’t hurt as much. Wish the Braves still had Caratini, so a part of me wishes he was unprotected and the expansion team had a handshake trade deal with the Braves on draft day.

    Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      5 years ago

      Maddon never gave him a chance. He had the greatest advancement to 2nd in cubs history though.

      Reply
  20. Aaron Sapoznik

    5 years ago

    I would protect the top 4 players on this list. I have confidence that new manager David Ross will get more out of Albert Almora than what Joe Maddon did. I also feel David Bote will blossom in the top utility role with Ben Zobrist apparently out of the Cubs picture. My biggest lock is catcher Victor Caratini who is a solid switch-hitter and an able defender which is saying a lot these days in MLB. My final protected player is pitcher Adbert Alzolay who may also benefit from having a new manager who was an experienced MLB catcher.

    Reply
    • The Human Rain Delay

      5 years ago

      So are they trading Contreras for Sp or just riding that train till the end of the track is the Q?

      Reply
      • drasco036

        5 years ago

        The question that needs to be answered first is “is the NL DH here to stay?”

        If it is, no way do you trade Contreras (or Schwarber) because there is too much value in his contract, especially when you can have his bat for 162 games.

        Reply
  21. bigbadjohnny

    5 years ago

    I just worked backwards…..who do I NOT want to keep !

    Reply
  22. bigbadjohnny

    5 years ago

    At least six out of the original eleven Cubs, could be traded this off-season !

    Reply
  23. drasco036

    5 years ago

    This is dumb but I’ll bite:

    Caratini-arguabbly the best back up in the game
    Wick- future set up man or closer
    Mills- solid swingman (Cubs will have to replace 3/5 their rotation)

    Lastly I would probably go with Bote over Wieck or Ryan and take my chances.

    Also, there is a better than average chance the Cubs will trade one or more of Bryant, Schwarber, Rizzo and/or Contreras for 2021 given their appending free agency (KB, Rizzo, Schwarber) and need to clear some pay roll. Assuming the Cubs will want to get under the luxury tax for 2021 they will only have roughly 15-20 million to spend.

    Reply
  24. drasco036

    5 years ago

    I don’t see a NTC on Kimbrel. I would leave him unprotected if I’m making my decision right now.

    That allows five which brings me to Caratini, Bote, Mills, Wick and Wieck

    Reply
  25. drasco036

    5 years ago

    Cubs screwed themselves this offseason by nibbling around the edges. They should have traded Quintana, Chatwood and attached Descaslo in a trade as well, freeing up 25 million dollars… Then extended either Baez or Rizzo (or both).

    Lets just say you get in your time machine and you have 25 million AAV to work with:
    Rizzo 5 year 100 million brings him 7 year total with an AAV of 19 million= +2.5 million
    Baez lets go 8 year 27.5 bringing him to a 10 year total (10 million this year, 15 next) would be a 24.5 million AAV= + 14.5

    Total difference in AAV for 2020 season 17 million
    25-17=+8 million

    Locked up two core members, saved 8 million towards the luxury tax which means if everything else remained the same, the Cubs would currently be under the LT threshold. Oh what could have been.

    1
    Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      5 years ago

      they have plenty of time to extend rizzo and baez and Bryant for winter 2021. Descalso was a complete waste of money. There was no reason to give him a 2 year deal.

      Reply
      • drasco036

        5 years ago

        Time yes, money no and if you do not think having 4 million dollars extra to spend against the luxury isn’t a big deal I’ll point out the last two Cubs off seasons.

        Reply
  26. anthonyd4412

    5 years ago

    I’d go Alzolay, Bote, Caratini and the under appreciated Alec Mills

    1
    Reply
  27. bigbadjohnny

    5 years ago

    Not looking good Cubs fans……the Bears will be playing while both MLB sides still be fighting over money.

    The Baseball Strike is already on. The players fired the first shot with Snell & Stroman sounding off.

    There will be a long strike coming when the next Union/Owners contract is up !

    Was watching “Brockmire”……and I think Hank Azaria pegged it that baseball will have some serious issues in the years to come…….no fans….long games.

    Maybe we will see a Suicide on the field during a promotion stunt.

    Reply
  28. Blah blah blah

    5 years ago

    Any response that doesn’t include Rowan Wick is factually incorrect. Your results will be counted, but not considered.

    2
    Reply
    • wordonthestreet

      5 years ago

      Rowan Wick is a keeper!

      Reply
  29. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    first four names. boom, done.

    Reply
  30. Logjammer D"Baggagecling

    5 years ago

    That’s a tough one. Almora Jr. Caratini and both Weick and Wick

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

    Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

    Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

    Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Recent

    Which Other Relievers Might The Orioles Shop?

    Lee Elia Passes Away

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Poll: Which Teams Should Make The Biggest Push For Jarren Duran?

    MLB Finalizes Home Run Derby Field

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Giants Outright Sergio Alcántara

    Joe Coleman Passes Away

    Dodgers Outright CJ Alexander

    Trade Deadline Outlook: New York Yankees

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version