Chicago Cubs: Is Whit Merrifield worth a look in the offseason?

After a lackluster offensive showing through the second half and in the postseason, the Chicago Cubs need to shore up the lineup this offseason.

Fixing the offense for 2019 will take some work, and there are a number of ways the Cubs can approach it. Obviously free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are the first things that come to mind, but some additions may also come via trade.

One target that could be explored is Kansas City Royals utilityman Whit Merrifield. One of the few bright spots on the Royals the past few years, Merrifield, 29, can play infield and outfield and fits the profile of a historical leadoff man.

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Last season in 158 games he slashed .304/.367/.438 with 192 hits, 43 doubles, 12 home runs, 61 walks, coming in as a 5.2 fWAR player. He is a bit of a late bloomer, but in three years in bigs, he is slashing .293/.342/.437 with 33 home runs and 449 hits across 384 games.

Merrifield also has great speed; 45 stolen bases in 2018 (American League leader) and 87 in his career. There is a lot of value with this guy and he would look really good in a Cubs uniform, but is it possible?

What a trade for Merrifield could warrant

The Cubs would likely have to pay a decent price to make a trade with the Royals. He is under team control through 2019 and is arbitration eligible through 2022. Theo Epstein may be looking at some of his young position players like Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. as trade chips this offseason. A potential trade for Merrifield could very well include one or two of these guys.

Kansas City is a rebuilding team, finishing the year with the second-worst record in baseball. Adding someone like Happ, Almora or Schwarber fits the bill of a team clearly in the throes of a rebuilding effort. With Merrifield heading into his 30s, younger guys might profile better long-term.

The Cubs are in a position to win with proven players, and getting proven guys may mean sacrificing some young talent. Theo Epstein’s recent end-of-season press conference demonstrated an eagerness to do what it takes to fix this offense.

Could the Royals ask for too lofty a price? Maybe, but it would at least be something for them to consider. It may take a guy like Happ and some farm hands; it just depends on how far Epstein wants to go when it comes to working the trade angle. Merrfield could be a great fit with this Cubs team, but time will tell if that will come to fruition.