NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after hitting a 2-run home run to left field in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 08, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Minnesota Twins defeated the New York Yankees 4-3. Cubs (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs need to respond after missing out on Carlos Correa, and some of their roster holes are glaring.
The Chicago Cubs have made some relatively minor moves so far this offseason, such as signing Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon. Both are useful, surely, but need to be paired with a marquee player in order to reach the championship-level roster the Cubs are trying to build.
So, is that kind of player available for Jed Hoyer and Co. to sign? And if he is, will the front office have the resources to pull the trigger?
Like most offseasons, the Ricketts family has insisted that Hoyer has their blessing to make such a signing or trade. However, Hoyer has yet to do it, leaving some fans to wonder just how sincere ownership is in their commitment to winning in the near future.
Cubs moves to make: Dansby Swanson
The Cubs have the resources to land Dansby Swanson, and they have a hole in the middle of their infield. It’s a perfect match, as Swanson has been rumored to Chicago all winter.
Swanson’s marriage to Chicago Red Stars and USWNT star Mallory Pugh makes the fit all the more obvious. Dansby is sure to want closer to $200 million than the $100 million the Braves offered last spring. Atlanta seems set on replacing Swanson with Vaughn Grissom, if they must.
Dansby is the last of the core four shortstops on the free-agent market. After him, there’s a significant drop-off. Swanson slashed .277/.329/.447 last season with 25 home runs and 18 stolen bases. It was the best offensive season of his career, and earned him his first All-Star appearance.
It’s no surprise he’s aiming high.