3 Cubs Players Who Will Be Traded at the Deadline if Chicago Isn’t in Contention

The Chicago Cubs have several stars on the roster who helped the team to break the curse and win the World Series in 2016. But that's been almost four years and the Cubbies find themselves with a complicated payroll situation in addition to a number of players who are eligible for big paydays within the next year or two.

The Cubs have made it clear everyone will not get paid, and that means some blockbuster trades could take place at this year's trade deadline if the team isn't in contention. Here's who's likely to go if that's the case.

3. Anthony Rizzo

The Chicago Cubs could move 1B Anthony Rizzo due to his contract. / Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images

Anthony Rizzo has been with the Cubs since 2012 and has amassed a 33.0 WAR in that span. He's a three-time All-Star and has also won three Gold Gloves. The problem is Rizzo is making $16.5 million this year with a club option for the same amount in 2020. If the Cubs have no intention of picking that up assuming they've taken a step back in 2020, the best move is to trade him to a team and get maximum value for the slugger.

2. Willson Contreras

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras has been in trade rumors all offseason. / Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Willson Contreras' name has been in trade rumors all winter. The catcher is under team control through 2022, so his value is fairly high coupled with the fact he's one of the best hitting catchers in the league. But if the Cubs aren't contending, there will be no need for a slugging catcher, especially if they can get a big return for him. Expect Contreras to be one of the bigger names dangled at the deadline if the Cubs find themselves in a worst-case scenario.

1. Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant is a clear trade target for the Chicago Cubs. / Stacy Revere/Getty Images

No surprise here! Bryant is the obvious top choice for this situation. He was in trade rumors during the offseason and isn't a free agent until after the 2021 season because he lost the service-time grievance against the Cubs. The third baseman is making $18.6 million in 2020 and that price will increase next season in his final year of arbitration eligibility. The Cubs clearly don't want to extend Bryant, so trading him at the deadline would solve that situation and get the Cubs a lot of value in return. The 2016 NL MVP will get a mega-deal in 2022 and can go to any team that wants to pay him.