The Chicago Cubs have quite the conundrum at second base

Chicago Cubs: Two potential fits, but one unlikely

So where does that leave us? One player I would have loved to see in this conversation is Nico Hoerner. After an impressive 2018 season, Hoerner didn’t let up at Double-A Tennessee. He had a slash of .300/.391/.500 and an OPS of .891 in 18 games. But a wrist fracture has kept him out, but he seems to be nearing a return sometime soon. Even returning soon, a promotion is unlikely with how much time he’s missed. But he’s a player that should be on everyone’s radar when Spring Training rolls around.

Another possibility is Robel Garcia, who’s been crushing the ball at every level. Injuries at Triple-A Iowa necessitated his call-up, and he hasn’t slowed once he got there. Garcia is a 26-year old that had played previously in the Cleveland Indians organization in 2010. He’s been playing overseas since, and it was chance that the Cubs even noticed him (The Athletic, Subscription Required.) 

He’s got 19 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A, leading the organization in that category. But he also strikes out a bunch. His K-rate is at 34.9 percent, but seeing how that’s become the ‘norm’ in baseball, his power may overshadow the strikeouts. The Cubs would have to clear a spot on the 40-man, same as they would for Hoerner.