Chicago Cubs: 3 more guys you should be prepared to lose this winter

3 More Chicago Cubs Likely to be Gone After This Year – #3: Matt Duffy

Although Matt Duffy has a career slash of .280/.338/.373, he is currently batting .258 with the Cubs. For the veteran, it’s not his performance that’s necessarily the issue (although he’s been a totally different hitter since coming back from the IL with an OPS more than 200 points lower in the second half).

Chicago boasts a ton of infield depth right now, and Duffy could be the priciest option of them all this winter, which might not jibe with the front office’s approach to rounding out a roster. Next year, the Cubs will undoubtedly go with Nick Madrigal and Nico Hoerner up the middle, and probably David Bote and/or Patrick Wisdom at the corners (barring a major free agent splash).

Though Duffy is on an expiring contract earning a base pay of $1,000,000, the best spot he should get in 2022 is a bench spot. Knowing the career he has had has been pretty solid thus far, he could probably land a sweeter deal with another club as it is, if the Cubs even offer another contract.

Duffy has always been a solid contact bat but currently only has racked up 155 ABs to this point in the season. With all the infield depth including those named above (among others), It’s to imagine a situation where Duffy is an everyday starter moving forward unless the Cubs are seriously hit with the injury bug.

The 30-year-old infielder is more of a victim of circumstances than somebody who is underperforming to the point of the team moving on by choice.