Luis Robert Jr. (Creative Commons/D. Benjamin Miller)
I’ve been rough on Chicago Cubs baseball honcho, Jed Hoyer recently. I, like many Cubs fans, have been screaming for Hoyer to make a move. The Cubs have some good, but not great pieces. They just don’t fit together well. The Cubs seem to have a logjam in their system at the corner outfield position.
Since the Cubs seem to be stuck at the corner outfielder positions because of the no-trade contracts of Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ, their prospects need to be traded to get something useful.
The Cubs haven’t made an impactful trade since I can remember. I’m not willing to concede that Michael Busch qualifies. At least not now. So, I’m volunteering to help Jed. I can be to the Cubs what Tony LaRussa is to the White Sox.
As I think about that, that’s probably a bad example. But pressing on, here are some ideas for Jed.
Go get Luis Robert Jr.and Garrett Crochet
It’s said that the Sox are asking for a ton in return. Well, how about this package: Christopher Morel, Peter Crowe-Armstrong, another corner outfielder such as Owen Caissie and a pitching prospect not named Ben Brown or Cade Horton.
The Sox could then move Morel to second which is allegedly his best defensive position and an area where the Sox desperately need help. The trade also immediately gives the Sox more outfield depth.
As for the Cubs, Crochet and Robert Jr. are both serious injury risks, but they are also currently fairly cheap. Plus, while Cubs prospects are highly touted, they haven’t proven anything on a major league level yet,
Yes, Morel as serious offensive potential, but despite that, his current WAR is 0. Maybe Busch could play third. Play Bellinger at first and stabilize that position.
And here’s a real off the wall idea. Pick up Yoan Moncada when he comes back from the injured list, which could be right after the All-Star break. Despite being maligned, he’s a productive player when in the lineup. Especially defensively, and he’s a switch-hitter.
Get on the phone and talk to the Astros and/or Blue Jays about a catcher
Current Astro and former Cub, Victor Caratini would be nice. Caratini is a decent hitter, is also a switch hitter and has good defensive metrics. I suspect there is a trade to be made there.
If the Blue Jays are sellers, Danny Jansen could be a huge addition to the team. Jansen has an OPS of .815, with a career OPS of .750. Plus, he’s a free agent next season so he shouldn’t break the bank. That should appeal to the bargain-conscious Cubs.
Hello, Giants? I’d like to talk to you about Matt Chapman
In retrospect, the Cubs really should have pursued Matt Chapman via free agency. Now they would have to pay in money and prospects. The Cubs don’t have a third baseman close to being ready in the system.
Matt Chapman’s WAR is currently 2.4. The best WAR among Cubs positional players is Michael Busch’s 1.2.
One reason the Giants might move Chapman is he has a $17 million player option for 2025 and a player option of $18 million for 2026. This is admittedly a longshot, but Jed could pick up the phone.
I’m not sure how much this will help Jed, but not to worry. I’ll have more suggestions for him.
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