The Cubs had extensive conversations about right-hander Michael Soroka’s drop in velocity before acquiring him at the trade deadline, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Tuesday. They were well aware of his injury history.

Occasionally, MLB executives will acknowledge a deal didn't go their way. Some moves just don't work out and they can admit that. What you never see, though, is an executive publicly regret a deal less than a week after making it.

The Chicago Cubs entered the MLB trade deadline with one clear goal in mind, and unfortunately, they did not meet it. Which has led to Levi Weaver of The Athletic (subscription required) describing their deadline in one word that fans will be disappointed to read: “timid.