Moments after Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco Giants, Willson Contreras sat within the guests dugout at Oracle Park when it hit him.
He realized this was the Chicago Cubs’ final sport earlier than Tuesday’s 5 p.m. commerce deadline. If, as anticipated, Contreras is traded, Sunday marked his last sport with the one group he has recognized since he signed as a youngster from Venezuela.
So Contreras lingered, staring out on the subject. He accepted hugs from teammates making their means into the clubhouse. And now all he can do is wait.
“We’ll see what happens,” Contreras mentioned afterward. “It’s going to be a long day. It’s been a long, long, long week. A long, long month for me. But I’m ready for this to be over with.”
Less than 48 hours stay till Contreras’ speedy future is resolved. For now he’s caught in limbo: a Cub except he’s instructed in any other case.
“To be honest, this is the first time in my career that I’m in this position,” Contreras mentioned. “It’s not easy. I just want this to be over. If they’re going to trade me, they’re going to trade me. If they don’t want to trade me, they don’t. But I just want this day to pass and keep focused on playing baseball. I just want it to be over.”
The Cubs will spend their time off Monday in St. Louis forward of their three-game sequence that begins shortly after the deadline passes. Contreras deliberate to attempt to keep occupied in the course of the downtime, suggesting he would possibly play video video games or go to the lodge pool whereas maintaining a tally of his telephone.
Tuesday night time’s roster might look fairly totally different, relying on how a lot the Cubs entrance workplace tries to dismantle it once more. Ian Happ additionally may need worn a Cubs uniform for the final time Sunday.
It turned obvious in the course of the four-game sequence in San Francisco that the commerce deadline and an unknown future weighed on Contreras. Manager David Ross acknowledged over the weekend it has affected the 30-year-old catcher on the sector.
Contreras went 0-for-4 within the Cubs’ 4-0 loss Sunday to complete July hitting .149 with 4 extra-base hits, six walks and 25 strikeouts in 19 video games.
“It’s hard because anytime that you have a little time off or free time, your mind’s going right away to trade rumors or a trade,” Contreras mentioned. “I want it wasn’t a factor, however I gained’t lie, I talked to Ross about it. It’s not simple. You need to learn to cope with this.
“This is my first time in this position. If it happens for a second time, I’ll have an idea how of how to handle it. That’s all I can say.”
Should Contreras’ union with the Cubs finish, the upcoming free agent mentioned he can stroll away along with his head held excessive due to all the pieces he has achieved since debuting in 2016.
“Obviously, this game shows us that it’s not about feelings. It’s about business,” Contreras mentioned. “And that’s one thing that I realized this yr.
“I care. I care a lot about my pitchers. I care a lot about the game calling and I care a lot about making the team better. I care a lot about winning. I know that this team is not made to win this year, not even close.”
The Cubs can hope that is the final yr for some time they’re trade-deadline sellers. In the meantime, a possible flurry of trades looms.
“It’s a double-edged sword, right? No news for me is good news,” Ross mentioned. “All the gamers are nonetheless right here. Awesome. When we make a commerce, it’s like, OK, I’m comfortable for (Chris) Martin to go chase one other ring, however I’m additionally comfortable to get to know a brand new piece to our future puzzle.
“You hate to lose guys you depend on, guys that work hard. You’re appreciative of that. It’s a sad but yet happy day. There’s two sides of that from the manager’s seat.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com