Cubs could look to Kike Hernandez to improve against left-handed pitching

Bringing in Kike Hernandez could help the Cubs check multiple boxes this winter.

After non-tendering Albert Almora, Jose Martinez and Kyle Schwarber, we know the Chicago Cubs have a major depth problem in the outfield. But if we’re being fair, the infield could soon look quite similar. A trade of Kris Bryant means David Bote becomes your third baseman and you’re trusting second base to Nico Hoerner – who has struggled a great deal with the stick at the big league level.

We know, as an organization, Chicago values versatility. We’ve seen that in guys like Ben Zobrist and, more recently, Hoerner and Ian Happ – although the latter has primarily converted to a full-time outfielder at this point.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

It might seem like the Cubs are flat-out selling with no regards to competing in 2021, but that’s not necessarily the case. They’re going to bring new guys in, whether or not they trade familiar faces like Bryant. One potential free agent target could be longtime Los Angeles Dodgers staple Kike Hernandez.

Hernandez, fresh off a World Series title with the Dodgers, hit the open market. At just 29 years of age, he’s got plenty left in the tank and could help the Cubs build a more well-rounded offense, rather than one that lives and dies via the long-ball.

The former sixth-round pick isn’t going to break the bank this winter. He’s coming off a season in which he ranked in the bottom five percent of the league in walk rate and hit just .230/.270/.410 – culminating in his lowest OPS since 2016. Now, I know. If he struggled this badly, how exactly will he help the Cubs improve? Simple. By deploying him correctly.

While his overall numbers of late leave plenty to be desired, Hernandez carries a .263/.345/.474 line against left-handers over the last two seasons. His numbers this year just were not good. But if he can get back to what he’s typically done against lefties, he could have a ton of value to a team like the Cubs.

As we know, Chicago struggled a great deal against southpaw pitching in 2020. As a team, they ranked 29th in MLB in OPS, thanks to a god-awful .196/.308/.311 line. I’m not saying Chicago needs to be world-beaters against left-handers, but you at least have to be able to turn in competitive at-bats. Last season, they failed to do so in every regard.

So far, we know the Minnesota Twins have some degree of interest in Hernandez – and I suspect they won’t be the only club checking in on the utilityman this offseason. But, at the very least, the Cubs need to pick up the phone here because Hernandez checks an awful lot of boxes for this team.