Chicago Cubs: Dusting off our overly-optimistic 2019 crystal ball

Chicago Cubs: Saving best for last

With Russell being (hypothetically) shipped off to New York, most would assume Javier Baez will slide over to shortstop. Wrong. The crystal ball tells a different, much more exciting story. Enter Manny Machado.

While the Cubs will make that push for Harper (and will fall short), Machado’s camp will likely play the waiting game and will let Harper set the market. He won’t be a fit in L.A., with Corey Seager coming back from injury and Turner already settled in as their third baseman. While Seager could move to second, expect Brian Dozier to re-sign and play the keystone in Chavez Ravine.  The Yankees and Red Sox will both be out on Machado. This leaves a limited audience for Manny, and the Cubs would be more than happy to roll out the red carpet for the titular shortstop.

Machado won’t come cheap. But he’s a great fit for the team and he won’t be able to turn down the opportunity to lead a team that proves to perennially compete for championship glory.