5 players who should already be in the trading block

April 24, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the first inning at Wrigley Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

These five members of the Chicago Cubs roster are already looking like they could be added to the trading bloc.

The Chicago Cubs and the MLB Playoffs decided to end their relationship after the 2020 season. After waiting for a championship for so long, the team finally rewarded patient fans with one in 2016. They stayed competitive for a few seasons after that, only to strip the whole thing down for the 2022 season.

Not much is expected of the Cubs this season, but they have some pieces to position them in a nice spot for years to come. They’re a club that’s spent the off-season but haven’t seemed to have done enough to be competitive. Results on the field could see them ending up practically anywhere in the division except maybe last, thanks to the Cincinnati Reds. With several key players also set to hit free agency post-year, we could see another big bailout from this team.

Looking at some of the possible trade candidates on the list from the perspective of their sales, these five players already look like they should already be on the trade block.

Cubs catcher Willson Contreras could be a hot commodity at the close

There’s a reason to trade Willson Contreras, and that’s to get something back for him. No longer a young up-and-coming backstop like he seemed yesterday, Contreras is in his seventh season with the Cubs and goes free this winter. The lack of an extension leaves him a year behind in the same fate as Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo last summer.

Contreras has had a fine career in Chicago, where he was one of the better offensive catchers in the game. A little quieter, he was also a consistent defender. Contreras has posted a positive WAR on defense every season. It’s a trait about him that should make Chicago shop him this summer if they drop out of a playoff race.

Also, since there are so few catchers in the league who can do what he can, expect the Cubs to get nice loot for him in return. For an early prediction, look to the New York Yankees who are all over the place trying to get him.