Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras may be in the American League now, but his rivalry with the Milwaukee Brewers is still very much alive following another hit-by-pitch.

Contreras didn’t mince his words postgame after he was hit on the hand by Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff during Monday’s game, saying, “They always say, ‘I’m not trying to hit you.”’

“That gets old. So, next time they hit me again, I’m going to take one of them out. That’s a message,” issuing a strong warning to the Brewers clubhouse.

The former Chicago Cub and St. Louis Cardinal is extremely familiar with the Brewers, having spent almost his entire career in the same division. Contreras has been hit 131 times throughout his career, and six of those have been by Woodruff, so the frustration makes sense.

After the latest hit by pitch, Contreras yelled at Woodruff, then proceeded to slide hard into Brewers shortstop David Hamilton following a force play.

The funny part about all this animosity is that Wilson’s brother, William Contreras, is the Brewers’ catcher, but there’s clearly no love lost.

Woodruff also spoke to the media postgame about the altercation and history with Contreras, adding, “I mean, we’ve been through that. It’s been like nine years for me. It seems like every year.”

“He’s trying to play a game, and he’s trying to get his side fired up, which is fine. Once I knew what was going on, I wasn’t going to let it affect me.”

Brewers star Christian Yelich also had comments about the Red Sox’s first basemen, saying, “I mean, we’ve seen that skit for the last 10 years,” and that “it’s nothing new.”

Maybe this was an attempt by Contreras to rally the Red Sox after a sluggish 2-8 start to the season, as they need something to go their way and turn their season around.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras and outfielder Ian Happ hugged in the dugout following the Cubs’ 4-2 victory over the Pirates Tuesday afternoon. With both players appearing in discussions ahead of the trade deadline on Aug. 2, it is likely the last game the two will share as teammates at Wrigley Field.

In the midst of another season in which the team is not contending for a spot in the playoffs, players like Contreras and Happ represent valuable trade chips for the Cubs as they attempt to rebuild. Contreras, one of the best catchers in the league, is almost certain to leave the team, as the New York Mets and Houston Astros lead a long line of teams interested in the three-time All-Star.

Contreras signed his first minor league contract in 2009 at the age of 16 and worked his way through the Cubs organization to become one of the defining faces of baseball. In 2016, his rookie season, the team won its first World Series in 108 years. Now, Contreras is poised to help another team realize that dream. In an interview after the game, he admitted that the idea was bittersweet but that he was nevertheless prepared and excited.

“Getting traded to a team that is competing is good,” Contreras said. “If the Cubs get a good package for me to make this team better, they’re going to do it. And I’ll be more than happy to help a different team to make it to the World Series.”

Happ is not as likely to get traded as Contreras, but with reports suggesting that multiple teams are interested in the 2022 All-Star, he also considered it important to enjoy the Cubs’ final home stand before the trade deadline.

“It was two really beautiful days at Wrigley Field that I tried to appreciate just as much, if not more, than any other time I get to step out there,” Happ said.

For six seasons, Happ has been a solid contributor for the Cubs, but his 2022 season has been his most effective. In 95 games, the outfielder has batted .282 with nine home runs and 46 RBIs. If he is traded, he will provide a dependable bat to any number of teams looking to make a run in the postseason.

Trades in any sport often reduce players to commodities as teams look for ways to balance quick returns and long-term goals given their present situations. It’s ultimately a business. Chicago’s need to rebuild does not take the bond between longtime teammates like Contreras and Happ into account. But their embrace in what could be their final games at Wrigley Field represents the human element of the sport, as well as the meaning behind their careers as Cubs.

Opening Day of Major League Baseball is almost here. With that being said, now is the perfect time to break down each team’s prognosis heading into the 2021 season following an abbreviated 60-game 2020 campaign.

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The Chicago Cubs missed the postseason in 2019 but reigned atop the National League Central division in 2020 and made the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons. Chicago won a World Series in 2016, marking the third championship in the franchise’s 145-year history. The Cubs finished 10th in ERA in 2020, posting a 3.99 ERA, and finished 17th in home runs with a total of 74. Chicago’s pitching staff will have to overcome some hardships, but the North Siders could surprise many and have the potential to make the playoffs in 2021.

Here are Chicago’s projected starters.

Chicago Cubs Projected Batting Order:

1. OF Joc Pederson 
2. 3B Kris Bryant
3. 1B Anthony Rizzo
4. SS Javier Baez
5. C Willson Contreras 
6. OF Ian Happ
7. OF Jason Heyward 
8. 2B Nico Hoerner 
9. Pitcher

Chicago Cubs Projected Pitching Staff:

• SP1 Kyle Hendricks 
• SP2 Zach Davies 
• SP3 Jake Arrieta 
• SP4 Trevor Williams
• SP5 Alec Mills 
• CL Craig Kimbrel

Chicago Cubs Team Outlook:

The offseason started out slow for the Cubs, but the team ended up making several moves. The team added outfielders Joc Pederson and Jake Marisnick, starters Jake Arrieta and Trevor Williams, reliever Brandon Workman and catcher Austin Romine. Chicago also picked up starter Zach Davies and four minor leaguers for starter Yu Darvish and Victor Caratini.

Along with these additions came the losses of second baseman Jason Kipnis, outfielder Kyle Schwarber and starting pitchers Tyler Chatwood, Jon Lester, and Jose Quintana. Regarding the starting rotation, ace Kyle Hendricks and new acquisition Zach Davies are steady arms. The backend of the rotation is on the weaker side. However, the bullpen looks better and will continue to provide results, especially if closer Craig Kimbrel can shape up.

Offensively, Chicago has two edge bats in shortstop Javier Baez and catcher Willson Contreras. First baseman Anthony Rizzo and Joc Pederson should also contribute power to the starting lineup. While Kris Bryant continues to decline, his name has been prevalent in trade rumors, and who knows what the future holds for Bryant. From the looks of it, Chicago will face some challenges in 2021, but they could surprise many by making yet another playoff run.

Chicago Cubs Schedule:

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