How They Were Acquired: Chicago Cubs NLDS Roster

This year, the Cubs returned much the same roster that ended the franchise’s curse by winning the 2016 World Series. Of the tweaks that were made, perhaps the most notable was the move to add Wade Davis to replace outgoing closer Aroldis Chapman (himself a mid-summer rental). By now, the story of how the team’s excellent core was compiled is rather well-known; indeed, books have been written on the general subject.

The title defense efforts got off to a sluggish start, though, prompting some further tinkering from PBOp Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer in advance of the trade deadline. Ultimately, the Cubbies closed strong and now enter the postseason looking to regain that ’16 magic. Here’s how the NLDS roster was compiled:

[Related: Chicago Cubs Depth Chart and Payroll Outlook]

• HOMEGROWN (6)
  • Willson Contreras, C: International Free Agent (Venezuela) July ’09
  • Javier Baez, 2B/SS: Drafted 1st Rd (9) ’11
  • Albert Almora Jr., CF: Drafted 1st Rd (6) ’12
  • Kris Bryant, 3B: Drafted 1st Rd (2) ’13
  • Kyle Schwarber, OF: Drafted 1st Rd (4) ’14
  • Ian Happ, OF/INF: Drafted 1st Rd (9) ’15

• ACQUIRED VIA FREE AGENCY (6)
  • Jon Lester, SP: December ’14 (OAK) — Signed to a six-year, $155MM contract (plus $25MM mutual option for 2021).
  • Ben Zobrist, INF/OF: December ’15 (KC) — Signed to a four-year, $56MM contract.
  • Jason Heyward, OF: December ’15 (STL) — Signed to a eight-year, $184MM contract.
  • John Lackey, SP: December ’15 (STL) — Signed to a two-year, $32MM contract.
  • Jon Jay, OF: November ’16 (SD) — Signed to a one-year, $8MM contract.
  • Brian Duensing, RP: December ’16 (BAL) — Signed to a one-year, $2MM contract.

• ACQUIRED VIA TRADE (13)
  • Anthony Rizzo, 1B: January ’12 (SD) — Acquired in the trade that sent Andrew Cashner and Kyung-Ming Na to the Padres.
  • Kyle Hendricks, SP: July ’12 (TEX) — Acquired in the trade that sent Ryan Dempster to the Rangers.
  • Jake Arrieta, SP: July ’13 (BAL) — Acquired in the trade that sent Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger to the Orioles.
  • Pedro Strop, RP: July ’13 (BAL) — Acquired in the trade that sent Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger to the Orioles.
  • Carl Edwards Jr., RP: July ’13 (TEX) — Acquired in the trade that sent Matt Garza to the Rangers.
  • Tommy La Stella, INF: November ’14 (ATL)— Acquired in the trade that sent Arodys Vizcaino to the Braves.
  • Addison Russell, SS: July ’14 (OAK) — Acquired in the trade that sent Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Athletics.
  • Mike Montgomery, RP/SP: July ’16 (SEA)— Acquired in the trade that sent Dan Vogelbach and Paul Blackburn to the Mariners.
  • Wade Davis, RP: December ’16 (KC) — Acquired in the trade that sent Jorge Soler to the Royals.
  • Alex Avila, C: July ’17 (DET) — Acquired in the trade that sent Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes to the Tigers.
  • Jose Quintana, SP: July ’17 (CWS) — Acquired in the trade that sent Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease, Matt Rose and Bryant Flete to the White Sox.
  • Justin Wilson, RP: July ’17 (DET) — Acquired in the trade that sent Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes to the Tigers.
  • Leonys Martin, OF: August ’17 (SEA) — Acquired in the trade that sent a player to be named later or cash to the Mariners.

Even if this isn’t the Cubs’ year, this is a team that’s built to contend for some time to come. The organization will have some roster maneuvering to account for over the winter, though. Arrieta will hit the open market along with a variety of other oft-used veterans, including Lackey, Davis, Uehara, and Duensing from the pitching staff. For now, though, the focus is on an attempt at a repeat crown.