Seiya Suzuki. (Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs can make these three moves with the money that it would cost to sign former Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa.
The MLB lockout is still in effect, but there is still some rumblings regarding arguably the top free agent available in Carlos Correa. The former Houston Astros shortstop reportedly has mutual interest with the Chicago Cubs. Even so, it is unknown if the Cubs would be willing to agree to Correa’s contract terms.
It is up to the Cubs if they want to spend a lot of money for Correa, as they do have a void at shortstop with Javier Baez signing a contract with the Detroit Tigers. But, the Cubs can make one of these three moves instead of dishing out the massive money and years for Correa.
Here are some of the players the Cubs can target.
Cubs: 3 targets they can afford with Carlos Correa money
Seiya Suzuki, OF
The Cubs need to add a power bat to their lineup, considering they traded Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Baez at the deadline. With Baez in Detroit and Rizzo and Bryant still on the open market, the Cubs should pivot to free agent out of Japan, Seiya Suzuki.
Prior to the lockout, the posting window opened up for Suzuki, and there was a bevy of teams interested in him. There was a good reason for that. Suzuki played nine years in Japan, is only 27 years old and has put up tremendous numbers.
In his nine-year career, Suzuki accumulated a .309 batting average, a .402 on-base percentage, and a .541 slugging percentage, while posting 189 home runs, 621 RBI, 611 runs and 1,088 hits.
If the Cubs want to add power in their batting order, they should try to sign Suzuki.