Cubs offseason trade options: First Base |
The other day, we discussed some of the Cubs' off-season trade options to improve their roster, specifically the catcher position. We continue that conversation today as we move to another position in question: first base. Last season, the Cubs made a trade to acquire former Los Angeles Dodgers farmhand Michael Busch and immediately plugged him in at first base.
For the most part, he produced at a high level, topping the 20-homer mark and providing the Cubs with elite defense down the stretch. However, with guys like Pete Alonso available on the open market and other names who could be on the block the Cubs may choose to upgrade the first base position. Whether that means Busch is traded or not remains to be seen, but with Nico Hoerner as a legitimate trade option also you could see Busch move back to second base which is his natural position. While Alonso to the Cubs has been a rumor going around for over a year now, Paul Goldschmidt is also a free agent, but expect the Cubs to refrain from making a run at him. You have heard Luis Arraez's name come up as a possible player who could be on the move, but the Padres would be foolish to let him walk when you look at how he produced last season. If the Cubs really want to make a splash, why not trade for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was on the block last season? The Cubs were linked to Guerrero at the deadline last season, but nothing came of it beyond the rumor mill. Those discussions haven't gone away, and it wouldn't shock anyone to see the Cubs go after him again this offseason to upgrade their offense. If that is their goal, expect the Blue Jays to ask for a lot in return, with Hoerner, Busch, and potentially Kevin Alcantara or Owen Caissie as some of the guys they may want. Would it be a great deal? Sure, but do the Cubs really want to give up that much for a guy entering the final year of team control?
If Guerrero is off the table, there are some other names to watch, including 27-year-old Josh Naylor. Still young in MLB experience, Naylor has turned himself into a great hitter and has done so on a unique approach. He was never a high-power guy and focused more on hitting for average than power, but with 31 homers this past season, the power has started to come.
He also has one of the better contact rates in the game, along with a 16.6% strikeout rate, and he is the type of hitter the Cubs lineup could use. At a reasonable 12 million dollars next season and one year of team control left, he does fit the Cubs short-term plans, but it would be after next season where the question comes into play about his future.
Like Guerrero, Naylor would require a lot in return to close a deal, and it doesn't seem like the Cubs are willing to give up the farm for one particular player at this point.
If that is the case, could Yandy Diaz or Nathaniel Lowe be possible? Sure, but as mentioned above, at what cost do the Cubs deem something too much?
Diaz has been one of the more overlooked hitters for quite some time now. He is not only one of the toughest hitters to strike out, but he continues to focus on average over power. He also provides experience at both first and third, giving the Cubs plenty of flexibility to move him around the infield.
Lowe may seem like the least likely fit at this point, but when you consider his cost effectiveness, what it would take to get him, and the fact that he is a lefty, he may be higher on this list than some might think. Like Diaz, Lowe has been one of the more overlooked hitters for a while, as he has offered consistent production over the past five seasons with the Rangers.
His 2024 season was a bit down for his standards, but at .265, his average was still better than most of the Cubs hitters. His 16 homers and 69 RBIs would be a nice upgrade to the middle of this team's lineup. The problem with adding him would be the defense as he isn't a great defender, and that alone could move him to the DH position which the Cubs have occupied by Seiya Suzuki at the moment.
