3 reasons the Chicago Cubs won’t try to sign Freddie Freeman

3 reasons the Chicago Cubs won’t sign Freddie Freeman: #1 – Frank Schwindel

Right now, there are very few hitters in baseball capable of holding a candle to Frank Schwindel. National League Player of the Month in August, an NL Player of the Week in the first week of September – the guy’s just on one right now.

Given his breakout second half in what’s amounted to his first real regular taste of big league action, you have to think that, heading into 2022, the starting first base job is Schwindel’s to lose – and with good reason. At least to this point, opposing pitchers haven’t figured out how to get him out and he’s shown a proclivity for coming up in the clutch.

He’s got an otherworldly 181 OPS+ this season, buoyed by an insane .662 slugging percentage entering action on Friday. Schwindel has done everything asked of him – and then some – and barring a late-season fall-off, he’s done everything needed to head into next spring as the top dog at first base, likely backed up by Alfonso Rivas.

Given the team’s clear desire to focus on replenishing a farm system that, even now, lacks impact talent at the upper levels, shelling out a massive deal for someone like Freeman doesn’t make a whole lot of sense – especially when you have Schwindel ready and waiting to seize the job.