Kimbrel to Southside

The Cubs pulled off their first big blockbuster of the day. Craig Kimbrel is arguably their biggest trade chip of the deadline, and they have now cashed him in prior to the deadline. The best closer in baseball returned a pair of young MLB players, both in their pre-arbitration years (assets that are in higher demand now than they have ever been).

The big name among the two is former 4th overall pick 2B Nick Madrigal. Out for the season with a torn hamstring which required surgery in June, Madrigal is perhaps the elite young contact hitter in baseball. For those screaming for the Cubs to find a top of the order player who puts the ball in play, the Cubs now have another option for the future outside of Nico Hoerner. He put up phenomenal numbers at Oregon State, and then since finding his groove in AA back in 2019 his numbers have looked:

• 2019 AA: 42 G, 2.8 K%, .341/.400/.451
• 2019 AAA: 29 G, 3.7 K%, .331/.398/.424
• 2020 MLB: 29 G, 6.4 K%, .340/.376/.369
• 2021 MLB: 54 G, 7.9 K%, .305/.349/.425

Madrigal will turn 25 next spring, with one year of pre-arbitration in 2022, and then provides four arbitration seasons before becoming a free agent prior to the 2027 season.

His ability at 2B is nothing special, but is not considered a liability. Madrigal is strictly a 2B, but given Hoerner’s versatility to play SS and potential other positions, this provides the Cubs with coverage in case Javier Báez is traded or leaves via free agency.

Codi Heuer adds to the Cubs stable of hard throwing relievers. He averages around 97 mph on his fastball, and compliments it with a high-80s change and slider. After recording a 1.52 ERA in the shortened 2020 season for the White Sox, he’s fallen off a bit this year, with a 5.12 ERA, but he’s been a little unlucky giving up home runs this year (where as he was a bit fortunate in 2020). His true talent likely lands somewhere in the middle and he should give the Cubs a solid setup option in the coming years. Heuer also has one year remaining before arbitration, but he will reach free agency one year before Madrigal.

Javy (and Williams) headed to Mets for Crow-Armstrong

Source confirms: Báez and Trevor Williams to Mets, pending medical review. First with Báez: @feinsand.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal)

July 30, 2021

Cubs land 2020 19th overall pick Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Speedy centerfielder with a good hit tool. Potential leadoff hitter down the road. Only 19 years old. Currently out for the year after surgery on a torn labrum suffered 6 games into this season (his pro debut).

— Michael Ernst (@mj_ernst)

July 30, 2021

You can check out what I thought of Pete Crow-Armstrong last year in my 2020 draft preview.

I should clarify, his labrum injury was suffered on his non-throwing shoulder.

I will do my best to keep this post updated as moves are made today.