Willson Contreras had a feeling this day would come.

The day when his emotions about the Cubs’ franchise and everything that he’s put into it would get the best of him. A free agent at the end of the season, Contreras knows there is a possibility he could be dealt like his teammates, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javy Báez were last season.

“It’s tough,” Contreras said, holding back tears as he spoke. “Knowing everything that is happening around, and I knew it would get to me at some point and I wish this day never came, but it’s about business, I understand that. I respect that.”

It doesn’t make it any easier for him. The last game the Cubs play at home before the trade deadline is Tuesday against the Pirates.

“This is probably, probably not, I don’t know, probably my last home stand with the fans this year,” Contreras said. “It’s tough for me. It’s really tough.”

That’s why, in the 8^th inning of Monday’s 3-2 win over the Pirates, he soaked in the moment in his last at-bat of the night. The crowd was on their feet cheering on the longtime Cubs’ catcher.

“I’m trying just to appreciate everything that Wrigley Field is and thinking about all the memories that I had here since 2016, from 2009 until now,” Contreras said as his voice cracked.

That’s what’s made the last few days so difficult for him and what will make the next week or so just as trying.

“I love my team, I love my teammates most,” Contreras said. “I don’t wanna get too attached with them cause you never know what’s going to happen next week or this week even in San Francisco. It’s been a tough couple of days for me.”