Contreras staying focused while Cubs' future moves to forefront

PHILADELPHIA -- The current version of the 2022 Cubs started the second half of the season on Friday night by providing a glimpse of an optimistic future -- while simultaneously showcasing what could very well soon become the past.

Willson Contreras, a prime candidate to be moved ahead of the Aug. 2 Trade Deadline, started the scoring with a solo homer and rookie Seiya Suzuki finished it with a two-run shot in the Cubs’ 15-2 rout over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Between those home runs, fellow rookie Nelson Velázquez did something only one Cubs player had ever done and Christopher Morel -- yet another budding first-year player -- made a highlight-reel play in the field and collected three hits, including a “Little League homer.”

For a team that improved to just 36-57 with Friday's rout and remains 13 games back of the final NL Wild Card spot, the reality is that the Cubs will likely once again be sellers. One year after trading away the World Series core of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Báez -- along with Craig Kimbrel and Joc Pederson, among others -- Chicago figures to receive plenty of calls regarding Contreras, who is set to become a free agent after this season. Ian Happ (4-for-6, two RBIs) has another year of club control, but he, too, will have his share of suitors.

"I think it stands out to me that the veteran guys continue to control what they can control. That's how you get to the point that [Contreras is] at, being such a good player," manager David Ross said. "He's not trying to control the pitching staff, he's not trying to control where he hits in the order, he's not trying to control anything from a team-building standpoint, like where he might go or not go or what the future might hold for him.

"I think he's very much caught up in the moment and trying to be the best player he can [be] for his team -- and that's a powerful message he's sending."

The younger guys have heard that message loud and clear, particularly on Friday night.

Suzuki capped a four-hit night with a two-run homer off Phillies backup catcher Garrett Stubbs in the ninth. The 27-year-old Suzuki is hitting .400 (20-for-50) with three homers, two stolen bases and a 1.044 OPS in 14 games since rejoining the Cubs on July 4.

Velázquez, a 23-year-old rookie who checks in as Chicago’s No. 16 prospect, clubbed a pinch-hit two-run homer in the eighth inning and added a three-run shot off Stubbs in the ninth. He became just the second player in franchise history to hit multiple homers off the bench, joining Thad Bosley (Aug. 12, 1985).

“I didn’t know that; thank you for letting me know that,” Velázquez said with a smile when a reporter presented that factoid. “It feels good. It feels amazing.”

As for Morel, he provided the most electric play of the night, racing around the bases after some aggressive baserunning on his sixth-inning RBI double led to a Phillies throwing error that allowed the 23-year-old utility player to scamper all the way home.

“He’s definitely got an energy about him that is just infectious for everybody and exciting for the game,” Ross said. “He’s fun to watch play baseball.”

The Cubs figure to spend the next two months evaluating all aspects of a club they hope will be in a position to buy instead of sell at this time next year. Chicago’s trio of rookies who starred to start the season’s second half could be an integral part of a potential turnaround.

"Just kind of continue to build, work on things that you want to impact guys with, where we can get better -- identifying those little things," Ross said. "Just looking out and seeing like, 'OK, who looks like a piece for next year? Who might be gone? Who still has a little ways to go?'"

If Friday was any indication, some of the key 2023 pieces may already be contributing on the ‘22 roster.

“Everyone just worked together and we worked like a team, and that helps us a lot,” Velázquez said. “We scored a lot of runs, we got a lot of hits. When we play like a team like that, we can do a lot of damage.”