Chicago Cubs: Top three reasons Cubs should pass on Nolan Arenado

The Chicago Cubs are one of the teams considering going after Colorado Rockies third baseman, Nolan Arenado. The Cubs might want to pass on this one.

Most Chicago Cubs fans are singing the same song this offseason – one of the team being very frugal in their acquisitions. That whole notion of not spending money really set off some of the Cubs fans and pundits that have labeled the offseason as ugly and lackluster.

While no one will negate the fact that the Cubs have been lethargic this offseason, I have to counter the negative narrative with the thought that at least they haven’t done another mind-blowing Jason Heyward or Brandon Morrow deal. In fact, Morrow signed back on with the Cubs for next season under a minor league contract which makes better sense than his first Cubs contract.

Although Chicago has not formally stated that third baseman Kris Bryant will be out next season or gone, they have been looking for players who can fill that role with the latest being Colorado Rockies All-Star third baseman, Nolan Arenado.

But are the Cubs settling for leftovers after a quiet offseason that has seen many big names move on? Are they trying to hop on the Arenado bandwagon to settle their third base controversy with Bryant? Here are the top three reasons the Chicago Cubs should pass on Arenado.

Chicago Cubs: Reason #3 – Arenado is injury prone 

Rockies fans won’t much understand this article, as Arenado is basically Colorado’s Anthony Rizzo. They love the guy there, but just like Rizzo, the All-Star third baseman has been beaten up pretty good while serving as one the best players in the league.

The person who really said it best was Chicago Cubs owner, Tom Ricketts, who told reporters at the beginning of the offseason that no one out there available is really a good deal. Ricketts went on to say that players come with baggage unless you get them right off the farm or Triple-A. These guys have injuries, family issues, money-issues and some even playing issues.

Ricketts knows a good deal when he sees one and hopefully he won’t be blinded by headlines enough to make an offer on Arenado whose injuries are a concern.

Last season, Arenado was out several times, although in his defense, he did everything Rizzo-style to come back to his team and help out. The question is: do we need another Rizzo with back, shoulder, hand, finger and toe issues? Those were just a few of the injuries that took Arenado out the last few seasons and could be a signal of where he could be suffering again next season.

Remember Arenado has played for the Rockies for seven seasons. Just start looking backward and the injuries pile up. Broken fingers and hand injuries have prevailed throughout his career but as Arenado got older he began to “tweak” his shoulder, bruise his toe and injure his lower back more frequently each season. I can just see the headlines if Arenado comes aboard and I can hear all the chatter that first time as a Cub, Arenado goes on the injured list for a bad back.

Told you so.

Chicago Cubs: Reason #1 – Team already has good leadership

Just like Tina Turner sang, “We don’t need another –  hero” in the 1980s, the Cubs are full of leadership with remnants of the 2016 World Series champs still on the team – and now more seasoned and knowledgeable on how to get there again. We don’t need another hero to lead the team, we need a team player who can pull his weight on the field and at bat and won’t challenge the leadership of the team – just join the team.

Look at what outfielder Nicholas Castellanos brought to the team last season and you’ll have the perfect example of what the Chicago needs at third base and on the bat.

While I’m not here to add to the plethora of Castellanos-fawning articles out there on why he should be a Cub, I don’t understand why the Cubs just don’t bring him back at third base as their solution. Castellanos played third base in Detroit for four seasons in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Castellanos’ fielding percentage was .955 for those four seasons compared to Bryant’s .951 for the past five seasons. It is a sensible solution at third base with a known hitter that brings energy to the team. The Cubs should seriously consider Castellanos at third; moving Bryant to clear payroll and replenish the system.

Arenado needs a team that has no leadership and needs his experience and energy; the kind of team that’s in need of a Rizzo of their own. The Cubs have leadership in new manager David Ross and veterans like Heyward, Jon Lester and Daniel Descalso. With Rizzo serving as leader and captain of the Cubs, there is no room in the clubhouse for a challenge to his authority which Arenado would clearly be.

I don’t dislike Arenado, in fact I think he’s a pretty great player as a five-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove and four-time Silver Slugger recipient and will undoubtedly make a good addition to a club looking to take that next step. But that team is not the Chicago Cubs.