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Cubs: Three free agents who could address the second base hole
With less than two weeks left until pitchers and catchers report to camp, Jed Hoyer still has plenty of items left on his shopping list before you can call this roster anywhere close to complete.
Things have picked up of late for the Chicago Cubs, with the team bringing in former Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson and right-hander Trevor Williams via free agency. Hoyer followed those moves up with a handful of minor league signings and a somewhat surprising one-year, $2.25 million deal with left-hander Andrew Chafin.
Why is that surprising? Well, because the starting rotation is still really shaky, even after the addition of Williams – and the lack of infield depth is really troubling, particularly at second base. After Kolten Wong signed with the division rival Milwaukee Brewers, here are some potential answers for the Cubs’ second base question.
Cubs could add a long-missed speed element in Jonathan Villar
It’s been a really long time since Chicago boasted a speed presence atop the lineup. Free agent Jonathan Villar could give the lineup a much-needed new look in 2021. Splitting the 2020 campaign between Toronto and Miami, the 29-year-old infielder struggled, especially after joining the Jays for the season’s final weeks.
Still, he’s just two years removed from a campaign where he played in all 162 games, turned in a 109 OPS+ and swiped 40 bases. The last time Chicago had a player steal 40 bases in a single season? Juan Pierre back in 2006, when he stole 58 bags with the North Siders.
Putting Villar in that Cubs lineup completely changes the feel and look of a team that’s lived and died with the long ball in recent years. He’s still young enough to have some solid years ahead of him, giving him value both as a member of the team and a potential trade chip should the team go the full rebuild route.
Cubs will face steep competition for Marwin Gonzalez
Personally, I don’t see a situation where the Cubs come up with the money to bring in Marwin Gonzalez. I’ve long admired his defensive versatility. We all know how important a guy who can move around the diamond can be (see Ben Zobrist) and Gonzalez certainly fits that mold.
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Like a lot of players, Gonzalez really struggled in 2020. His 68 OPS+ marked his worst single-season performance since 2013 – and paled in comparison to his breakout 2017 campaign in Houston. If you’re trying to put a value on the Venezuelan native, I’d be far more likely to consider that season an outlier rather than the expectation.
He’s going to give you a roughly league average offensive presence and an ability to cover multiple defensive positions. Last year, he saw time in right field, first, second and third base for the Twins. If you look at the makeup of the Cubs roster right now, having depth at all of those positions would be awfully nice.
If the Cubs end up trading Kris Bryant, they’re going to need someone who can handle the hot corner. David Bote looks like a likely internal candidate, but he can’t handle second and third at the same time. That allows Gonzalez to pick up the slack – and even get some reps in left field along with Pederson, who could definitely use a platoon partner given his struggles against southpaws.
Cubs can play it safe at second base with Jonathan Schoop
Jonathan Schoop isn’t going to be an All-Star on a yearly basis. He’s just not that guy. That being said, he’s still a very solid ballplayer who could be a perfect answer for the Cubs at second base.
Since 2017, the 29-year-old has slashed .265/.308/.469 – good for a 106 OPS+. He’s showed decent pop, averaging north of 20 homers and 20 doubles annually, appearing for the Orioles, Twins and Tigers during that span.
Wong clearly looked like the top second base option on the free agent market – largely for his Gold Glove-caliber defense. He also came with a high-end price tag. On the other hand, Schoop is going to be much more cost-effective, making him an ideal option for someone like Chicago, who has limited resources and multiple holes to fill.
Next. Three Cubs who could be traded by Opening Day. dark
Defensively, Schoop is solid. He’s slightly above average by most metrics. In short, he’s going to make the plays he’s supposed to make – which is all you can ask for. He’s not going to draw a ton of walks, but, all told, he’s a reliable presence that could solidify a position that’s pretty shaky for the Cubs as things currently stand.