The Chicago Cubs are practically a lock to make some serious moves before this year’s trade deadline. They are the best team in the National League and are looking to not only make the playoffs, but also earn a first-round bye. This team has serious World Series aspirations, and if they are going to make a run, they will need to upgrade their pitching and fill a massive hole in the lineup before the trade deadline.
The Hole at Third Base
Despite an offense that ranks second in runs scored, the Cubs have some of the worst production at the hot corner. Matt Shaw is Chicago’s primary third baseman, and he has struggled after being promoted to the big leagues this year. So far, he has a .588 OPS and has accumulated 0.0 fWAR. While the Cubs don’t have to give up on Shaw’s career this early, they should look to find an upgrade.
Why Eugenio Suárez is a Perfect Fit
Brent Maguire of MLB.com broke down why Suárez fits right in for Chicago.
“Matt Shaw could become a quality big-leaguer some day, but right now, Suárez could not be a better fit for the Cubs. Slot Suárez in the middle of that Cubs lineup and all of the sudden, opposing teams are trying to deal with Pete-Crow Armstrong, Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, Suárez and much more. The Cubs are already one of the most potent offenses in baseball. Adding Suárez into the equation just might make them the most feared offense.”
Suárez is having a monster season. Last year, he hit 30 home runs, and this year he’s looking to blow that number out of the water, already having hit 31. Suarez would add a lot of pop to the lineup with his .880 OPS. Defensively, his numbers grade out as poor this season, but they were good in both 2023 and 2024.
Another benefit of the Cubs swinging a deal for the third baseman is that he is a rental, which may lower his cost a bit. Even then, trading for a player having such a good year will cost a pretty penny. But if the Cubs can pull it off, the argument can easily be made that they have the deepest and best lineup in the game.
Is it Realistic for the Cubs to Add Him?
With the Diamondbacks expected to be sellers, the Cubs should attempt to negotiate a deal to land the slugger. The difficulty will be that multiple other contenders are also expected to be suitors. The Mariners and Yankees are atop this list. While the Yankees’ farm system is viewed as well below league average, the Mariners are on par with the Cubs. Both farms boast elite talent, and we may ultimately see a nudging war to land one of the D-Backs’ most prized assets.
If the Cubs really want Suarez, they could opt to make a larger and more enticing deal to the D-Backs. With the Cubs needing another starting pitcher, a package of Suarez and one of Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly could result in a blockbuster deal. This may be the Cubs’ best way to kill two birds with one stone. It certainly would cost the Cubs a good chunk of their prospect capital, but if they truly want a World Series, then this may be their best option.
The Trade that Would Give the Cubs the Best Offense in the MLB