“Just about a year ago I set out on the road. Seekin’ my fame and fortune, lookin’ for a pot of gold. Things got bad and things got worse, I guess you will know the tune.” – Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lodi

The Cubs swept the Phillies in Philadelphia to start their post-All-Star break schedule, and, well, break up the Cubs! That’s just what president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and GM Carter Hawkins intend to do. The Cubs are hosting the Pirates in a two-game set starting today that could mark the last Wrigley Field appearances for a number of players. Willson Contreras and Ian Happ head that list which may also include Patrick Wisdom, Drew Smyly, Wade Miley, David Robertson, Mychal Givens, and who knows who else.

One player that is probably not going anywhere is outfielder Nelson Velázquez. Baby Boomstick had quite the weekend at Citizens Bank Park, blasting three home runs. He finished the series 4-for-6 with five runs scored and seven RBI. Best of all, he didn’t strike out once. Future first-string catcher Yan Gomes went yard twice in yesterday’s 4-3 win as home runs were up dramatically league-wide this weekend. Perhaps MLB is using Home Run Derby baseballs to start the second half.

Cubs rookie Nelson Velázquez has homered three times in this series against the Phillies! pic.twitter.com/0gvIRkOP9w

The big weekend by Velázquez offers a nice glimpse of this team’s future. The Cubs are counting on the slugger to lead the parade of minor leaguers expected to make their big league debuts over the next few seasons. Velázquez, Nico Hoerner, Seiya Suzuki, and Christopher Morel will probably be the new faces of the franchise starting next week, and it’s fantastic to watch each of them producing the way they have this season. In a dismal season, those four have provided the bulk of Chicago’s smile-worthy moments, along with Keegan Thompson, Justin Steele, P.J. Higgins, and Scott Effross.

After last year’s trade deadline, we enjoyed the exploits of Wisdom, Frank Schwindel, and Rafael Ortega to ease the hangover after Hoyer shipped his core pieces out of town. It was fun, but those three never seemed to generate the type of interest that Chicago’s younger players do. That’s understandable because last year’s replacements never carried the staying power that this year’s will. In fact, I don’t think anybody would be shocked if Schwindel and Ortega are traded, too.

For the second straight year, the Cubs are going to look vastly different once the deadline passes. The difference between last year and this can be summed up by the word “hopeful.” Once Hoyer and Hawkins clean house, Chicago’s (it’s not a) rebuild will enter its next stage. Come next week, the team will consist mostly of foundational pieces with a pipeline from the minors that is expected to be well traveled in 2023 and ’24.

With all of the Juan Soto rumors, I can’t help but think what a letdown it will be if he’s not traded.

The question is not whether a team will have to give up an immense amount of talent to acquire Juan Soto, but how likely it is those players come back to haunt them.https://t.co/lCkmZCNFtV

“Nobody’s weak until somebody’s strong. No one gets lucky until luck comes along.” – Eric Clapton, It’s In The Way That You Use It

Morel had two hits yesterday, and is now slashing .283/.354/.850 and should be getting mentioned as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate. Schwindel was 0-for-4 and his BA dropped to .231. His OBP is an unsightly .275 so it’s safe to say the magic of last season is completely gone. Smyly pitched a strong six innings and earned the win.

The three-game sweep in Philadelphia was Chicago’s first of the season.

The Yankees are said to be very interested in Soto, and the Angels have reportedly received calls about the availability of Shohei Ohtani.

An informal poll of front office executives indicated the Dodgers and Padres are the favorites to acquire Soto. The group was split nearly 50/50 on whether or not the Nats would trade their star right fielder.

Athletics catcher Sean Murphy is drawing quite a bit of trade interest.

Pete Rose will make an on-field appearance with the Phillies for the first time since his lifetime ban.

Today marks the deadline for the league and the MLBPA to agree on an international draft.

Justin Verlander became baseball’s first 13-game winner this weekend.

Buck O’Neil is finally a member of Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Raise your glass in honor of the beloved Steve Goodman.

Happy Birthday up there, Steve Goodman I'll try to celebrate with a cold Budweiser for both of us. https://t.co/UpR7Ed1jM2

New Growing Cubs Pod: Who's Hot, Promotions, Miguel Amaya Is Back - Cubs Insider https://t.co/Wg8DdnjHJE

O’Neil became the first Black coach in MLB history when the @Cubs hired him in 1962, and he was instrumental in bri… https://t.co/tP0nnCf9Ce

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