Cubs: Three free agents who could address the second base hole

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.

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.