CHICAGO -- There was plenty of buzz about the Chicago Cubs potentially making big moves at the MLB trade deadline, but the team ultimately opted for midtier improvements instead of a splashy addition.

That wasn't the case for some of Chicago's top National League competitors. The Philadelphia Phillies , New York Mets and San Diego Padres all landed high-end closers while the Cubs traded for relievers Taylor Rogers and Andrew Kittredge along with starter Mike Soroka -- who is on the IL after leaving his first start in Chicago because of shoulder discomfort -- along with utility man Willi Castro .

"It's hard when you see other teams you're competing with get really good players, but those aren't decisions you're making in the moment," GM Carter Hawkins told ESPN. "Their decis

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