Cubs Begin Spinning Trade Carousel With Deal For Dodgers’ McKinstry

The Cubs kicked off what’s likely to be another busy trading season with an opportunistic deal, acquiring 27-year-old utility man Zach McKinstry from the Dodgers for right-hander Chris Martin.

President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins must hope they do as well shopping All-Stars Willson Contreras and Ian Happ, along with pitchers Daniel Robertson, Mychal Givens and perhaps Drew Smyly. The Martin-for-McKinstry exchange was a smart one, as they signed Martin to a one-year, $2.5-million contract last March and could have McKinstry for five seasons, if they don’t eventually move him for a prospect or two.

While McKinstry could never force his way into a secure roster spot with the Dodgers, who feature the most talent in the majors, his left-handed bat and Ben Zobrist-level versatility will be a blessing for Cubs’ manager David Ross.

McKinstry was up and down with the Dodgers in 2021, hitting only .215 with a .668 OPS in parts of 60 games. He did that with double-figure starts in right field and left field, as well as at second base and third base. But he never received the regular playing time with which he has thrived in Triple-A.

A 33rd-round draft pick from Central Michigan University, McKinstry has compiled a .323/.401/.550 line in 489 plate appearances at Oklahoma City since the delayed start of the 2020 season. He’s shown above-average bat-to-ball skills, striking out only 15.7 percent of the time with a 10.8 walk rate.

The Cubs may give McKinstry a look as a regular at second base, which the often-injured Nick Madrigal has failed to secure. McKinstry and rookie Christopher Morel, a right-handed hitter, both appear capable of moving between the infield and outfield, which could help the Cubs carry an extra reliever as they rebuild the pitching staff.

Martin, 36, fills an immediate need for the Dodgers, who have seen Craig Kimbrel struggle in the closer’s role while injuries depleted the bullpen around him. Daniel Hudson, the most likely replacement for Kimbrel, is out for the season after a torn ACL, and Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, Victor Gonzalez and Tommy Kahnle are all on the Injured List.

Martin returned from Japan to resurrect his career with Texas in 2018. He has put together a 3.46 ERA over the last four seasons, succeeding through both the arm angles offered by his 6-8 frame and by throwing an unusually high percentage of strikes.

While the Cubs could extend Contreras before he reaches free agency in November, it appears they are going to trade him. They are also fielding inquires on Happ, a switch-hitting outfielder who is under team control through 2023.

Despite the numerous revenue streams he has developed since purchasing the Cubs and revitalizing Wrigley Field, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has been surprisingly passive in attempting to retain the core of players who won the 2016 World Series, ending the franchise’s 108-year drought. The Cubs dealt cornerstone players Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez at the trade deadline a year ago.

All were offered contract extensions at some point but none at an amount the players deemed to be at market value. Rizzo has said there were differences in the team’s stance toward the players — no doubt based on age and future projections — but that “the common denominator is that none of us signed.”

If there have been any late attempts to extend Contreras’ contract, they have remained confidential. It appears the Cubs are prepared to turn their catching over to veteran Yan Gomes and P.J. Higgins while catching prospect Miguel Amaya continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

McKinstry could have more staying power than any of the catchers. But who knows what to expect from the Cubs’ current management team?