In my post a few days ago I pointed out that the Cubs trading for Juan Soto would require him having to split time at first with Ian Happ to get into the lineup on a regular basis. I was forgetting about Patrick Wisdom and Christopher Morel who are both going to be on the roster as of this post. Also, a more realistic trade which I forgot about and has also been rumored to be in the works as long as the Soto trade would involve the Mets sending Pete Alonso to the Cubs.
Personally, I still want to see the Cubs bring Cody Bellinger back and have him play at First Base when Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) is playing. However, now that Bellinger has turned down the qualifying offer made by the Cubs that has become less realistic. They should rather get their draft pick than pay him what he is looking for at this point. So let me simplify the convoluted scenario I proposed in my last post discussing hot stove rumors.
This simplified scenario involves Alonso and Luis Robert coming to Wrigleyville in two separate trades and PCA starting the season at Iowa to get more seasoning. Let’s start by looking at the injury prone Luis Robert and how the Cubs could potentially make quick work of a trade with the White Sox. The White Sox need a middle infielder and a third baseman. So, the Cubs could send Wisdom or Morel with Nick Madrigal for Robert who will hit the market next winter. Then they would be able to turn Robert into a utility guy who plays First Base, Third Base, and Center field if they decide not to start PCA down in Iowa.
Now for the bigger move. Send Morel or Wisdom and pitching to New York for Alonso (a.k.a Polar Bear). Here’s the thing folks: The Cubs have a massive overload of infielders right now and since my post a few days ago they are rumored to be competing toe-to-toe with the Los Angeles Dodgers to sway Shohei Ohtani to come to Chicago.
Once the Shohei domino falls the Cubs will have a better idea of where their offseason is headed. No matter where he signs this winter he will be the starting DH for the entirety of his contract. If he heads east to Chicago to play with his best buddy from Japan Seiya Suzuki that opens the door for the Cubs to make smaller moves on the trade market to fill their holes on defense and leaves money for them to turn to the free agent pitchers available to fill their needs, which there are a couple of, through signings or trades.
With that… the hot stove is heating up and we are two weeks away from all eyes being on Nashville.
If you cannot play with them, root for them.