Cubs get A+ on MLB trade deadline grades |
The Major League trade deadline is finished up for the 2016 season as the Cubs were very busy landing several different relief pitchers to shore up the late innings with their bullpen.
Fox Sports released its MLB trade deadline grades and gave the Cubs management an A+ grade on their trade moves. "The Cubs have a stockpile of prospects for this reason — landing impact players who can help them break their 108 year World Series drought," Fox Sports said. "Chapman was the best reliever on the market, and the Cubs paid a heavy price, but ultimately it was a win-win for both teams. The Cubs get an A+ because they have to go for it, and they went out and landed THE guy. In getting Montgomery and Smith, the Cubs add depth to the bullpen with both a lefty and righty." Chapman was acquired from the Yankees for Gleyber Torres, Adam Warren, Billy McKinney, and Rashad Crawford on July 25. Montgomery was received from the Mariners for Dan Vogelbach and Paul Blackburn on July 20 while Joe Smith was obtained from the Los Angeles Angels for Jesus Castillo on August 1. Other teams in the National League Central had decent draft grades with St. Louis Cardinals (B), Pittsburgh Pirates (A-), Milwaukee Brewers (A+), and Cincinnati Reds (C).
