Cubs' Willson Contreras Thought He Would Get Traded at Deadline

Contreras thought he would get traded at deadline originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

As shocking as the Cubs’ trade deadline selloff was, when they dealt a third of their roster and broke up their All-Star core, imagine how many trades there could have been.

Because catcher Willson Contreras could have been dealt too.

“I thought I was going to get traded at the trade deadline, but it didn’t happen,” Contreras said Friday in St. Louis.

Contreras is one of the Cubs’ few core pieces left after they moved Kris Bryant, Javy Báez, Anthony Rizzo and Craig Kimbrel, among others, in a flurry of deals ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.

He knew the Cubs could blow up the roster — certainly after an 11-game losing streak from late June into early July — and saw his name in rumors again.

The Cubs catcher also popped up on the rumor mill in each of the last two offseasons.

“When there’s two years in a row hearing your name in trade talks, then the trade deadline comes, it’s not easy to not think about it,” he said. 

“It happened. I’m still here and I’m happy to be here. I’m looking forward to staying here.”

Contreras has said this season he wants to win and know the team's plan amid this rebuild period before signing a possible contract extension.

A rebuild he doesn't know how long will take.

"I wish I could have a timeframe for the rebuild," Contreras said. "I’m here to help this team win in as many ways I can. But I don’t know how long it’s going to take."

But while Báez, Bryant and Rizzo are set to enter free agency this offseason, Contreras is under club control through 2022, leaving the Cubs a year to work something out.

In the meantime, Contreras reiterated he's open to any extension talks.

"I’ve always been open. My door has been open," he said. "I’m here. I’m still here. That’s a good sign.”

Contributing from St. Louis: Gordon Wittenmyer

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