Chicago Cubs: The 2022 Opening Day dream lineup

Batting cleanup for the 2022 Chicago Cubs: Matt Olson (1B)

So there’s selling and then there’s selling – which the Oakland Athletics seem to be all-in on this offseason. After watching beloved longtime manager Bob Melvin pack his bags for San Diego, Oakland has made it clear: they’re listening on anyone and everyone this winter.

Enter slugging first baseman and Gold Glover Matt Olson. With two years left on his deal, Olson would give Chicago a commanding presence both at the dish and in the infield – and would be a far more ‘sure’ thing than incumbent Frank Schwindel.

Coming off a monster 2021 in which he smacked 39 homers and drove in 111 while getting on at a .371 clip, an Olson trade would help Oakland replenish their young talent ranks, while avoiding paying him through his final two years of arbitration.

Batting fifth: Patrick Wisdom (3B)

Given Olson’s strong on-base tendencies, following him up in the order with Patrick Wisdom makes a ton of sense to me (especially when you see who – in this dream scenario – is batting sixth to protect him).

This guy can mash. We know that. The question with Wisdom is whether or not he can make adjustments heading into year two on the North Side and at least make some improvement on his staggering strikeout rate. If he can do that, then he’ll be more than serviceable at the hot corner, all while costing next to nothing. That’s a win for everyone involved.