Chicago Cubs: Is the front office really saving for next offseason?

Chicago Cubs: Looking at the position players

Nolan Arenado

The ongoing debate between Rockies and Cubs’ fans about who is better between Nolan Arenado and Kris Bryant will probably never end, but the Cubs could have both if they decide to move Bryant to the outfield permanently. Arenado is an elite fielder with elite power. The road numbers aren’t great, but this is still a player that any team should want.

He’s coming off a .935 OPS 2018 campaign in which he blasted 38 homers, as well. He eclipsed the 100-RBI mark for the fourth consecutive season and also won his sixth straight Gold Glove award at third base – one for each year he’s spent in the league.

Xander Bogaerts

The connection here is instant. Epstein signed Bogaerts as an international free agent back in 2009. “Bogey” has been an everyday player in the majors since 2014 and has two World Series rings, as he was on the playoff roster for the Red Sox run back in 2013.

Production-wise Bogaerts has put up nearly three five-WAR seasons and quietly had his best offensive season-to-date in 2018 with 23 home runs and 103 RBI. His 135 OPS+ marked a career-high, as well, as he helped lead the Red Sox to a championship.

Scooter Gennett

This is a really intriguing option – for multiple reasons. Gennett has reached another level the past two seasons with his hometown Cincinnati Reds. It’s by no means a stretch to say the Cubs could plug him in at second base and move Javier Baez to shortstop permanently, depending on the still-unclear status of Addison Russell.

Gennett posted a 4.5 WAR this season to go along with a .310/.357/.490 slash line. He may very well be a dark horse trade candidate this offseason as well, depending on how the Cincinnati front office feels moving forward.