Cubs expected to explore all options at third base |
Now that the dust has settled on the Kyle Tucker trade, it's time to revisit the Cubs roster and see how things shake up today. One thing you notice is that with Isaac Paredes going to the Astros as part of the Tucker trade, the Cubs are currently without a de facto third baseman and will be looking to address that need.
The easiest way to fix that is to allow a guy like Gage Workman or Matt Shaw to win that job and run with it once the season starts. For that to happen, Nico Hoerner would be forced to remain on this team, but with his name continuing to be linked to the Seattle Mariners, it does appear that Hoerner will be dealt with at some point. You also have to consider the Hoerner injury and surgery as an area of concern, as there is a chance he may not be ready for opening day. Should either of those come to fruition, Shaw instantly becomes the favorite to open the season at 2B, which once again leaves a gapping hole at 3B. At some point, the Cubs need to address the current state of the hot corner, and there are several ways to do that. As mentioned, the in-house method would be the easiest, but considering Shaw's rapid rise, it would become a challenge should Hoerner remain with this team. You also have to look at the long-term and short-term options, and plenty of those options are available. Two of the long-term options would make this team better, but the least likely option would be Alex Bregman. He is by far the best free agent bat still available, but considering he will want a six-year deal close to $200 million dollars, there is no way the Cubs will spend that type of money to get him.
The second of the long-term options is Alex Bohm, who remains a trade option for the Phillies. After turning down a Mason Miller trade for Bohm last season, it's starting to become a question whether the Phillies even want to trade him, even though he has been mentioned to be on the block.
Considering the Cubs have a guy in Cody Bellinger whom they are continuing to shop, could there be a scenario where the Cubs send Bellinger to the Phillies for Bohm? As shocking a move as it would be, it can't be ruled out, as the Phillies were interested in Bellinger last season up until he got hurt. Bohm is one of those guys who would factor in both the long- and short-term plans and provide the Cubs with another big bat in their lineup.
As much fun as it would be to pick up a guy like Bregman or Bohm, it doesn't appear likely as the Cubs may look to add a tier-2 type of free agent on a one-year deal for a short-term fix. While the list of players is extremely long, only a few names make sense, and one of those names makes the most sense.
With Mark Vientos emerging as a massive piece to the Mets future, Brett Baty could be another trade option for the Cubs, but much of that falls on Pete Alonso and where he decides to go. Should he leave for free agency, you could have a scenario where Vientos stays third, and Baty goes first. If Alonso stays, Baty becomes dispensable, and for a guy who was a top 40 MLB prospect ahead of the 2023 season, he becomes worth a look as long as you don't give up a massive piece for him.
It seems unlikely the Cubs will trade a top-tier prospect for a prospect level 3B, where the free agent market comes into play. Guys like Paul DeJong, Gio Urshela, Brandon Drury, Josh Rojas, and Jon Berti make sense as short-term, cheaper 3B options. Rojas has already been linked to the Cubs this offseason, while Urshela and Drury have been linked to them the past two offseasons.
DeJong seems like the least likely option on that list, knowing what he will want contract-wise, but don't count them out on any of those names.
However, a surprising name has been connected to the Cubs, and the more you think about it, the more likely it becomes that he could be their 3B to open the 2025 season in former White Sox 3B Yoan Moncada.
Whether you like Moncada or not, there is a lot of merit behind bringing him in despite his injury, which kept him out nearly all of 2024. When healthy and in the lineup, Moncada has shown the ability to produce. He is a .257 career hitter and has 20-homer potential. The key word there is potential, as he has hit more than 20 homers just once in his career and more than 15 just twice.
Still, he would be the cheapest option of the group mentioned, which isn't internal. Should he struggle out of the gate, he would be the easiest to part ways with for the least amount of money. You also have that scenario where Moncada could play well enough to make an impact early in the season and then could be flipped at the deadline to make room for Shaw or other pieces.
It's an interesting position for the Cubs to be in and one that they will do a lot of thinking about.
