Chicago Cubs: The 2022 Opening Day dream lineup

This offseason is going to be anything but ordinary with the expiring CBA hanging like a specter above everything that’s going down right now. But for Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs, that can’t be a distraction given the importance of making some big-time moves this winter.

Chicago completely lacks any sort of star power now – with the possible exceptions of Willson Contreras and Kyle Hendricks – and you’d be hard-pressed to find any sort of national marketing campaign that features the latter. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez were all sent packing in July – along with other key contributors like Andrew Chafin, Ryan Tepera and All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel.

But that doesn’t mean 2022 will be a wash. The Cubs have a ton of money to spend and a loaded free agent class in their crosshairs. If Hoyer and his revamped front office strike gold and flip over this roster in dramatic fashion this winter, here’s what the 2022 Opening Day dream lineup could look like.

Leading off for the 2022 Chicago Cubs: Starling Marte (CF)

Probably the highest profile outfielder in this year’s free agent class, Starling Marte would immediately transform the Cubs’ lineup with his speed and baserunning abilities. He swiped 47 bags this season, which he split between the Marlins and Athletics, while putting up a 132 OPS+ and an on-base percentage north of .380.

Since Dexter Fowler left following the 2016 season, Chicago has sorely lacked a table setter atop the lineup. Bringing in Marte improves the defense in center field, adds a speed element and strong on-base skillset to the mix and could really help this offense find a new identity in 2022.

Batting second for the 2022 Chicago Cubs: Willson Contreras (C)

Again, this is a dream scenario for Opening Day 2022 – so two-time All-Star catcher Willson Contreras is in the lineup, batting second and fresh off a multi-year contract extension in the offseason.

Whether or not you think Contreras is one of the best catchers in the game is neither here nor there. He’s a solidly above-average offensive backstop with a strong arm who brings an energy this team sorely lacked at times. Between that and the fact the alternatives to Contreras are nothing short of terrifying, Chicago would be well-served in extending him in the weeks and months that come.

The key to his success in 2022? Getting a blow here and there. He’s been one of the most overworked catchers in the game in recent years and we saw it take a steep toll on his offense down the stretch last season.

Batting third: Carlos Correa (SS)

Wednesday’s report indicating Chicago is leery of long-term, high-dollar free agent deals aside, there’s no one better suited to join the Cubs than slugging shortstop Carlos Correa.

Since his arrival in the league, Houston has been nothing short of a juggernaut, winning the World Series* in 2017 and reaching the Fall Classic in three of the last five seasons. Sure, he found himself entangled in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, but he re-emerged as a leader in that clubhouse and, finally healthy, put up big-time numbers this year.

Without Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo or Javier Baez, the Cubs need some star power. At age 27, Correa is young enough to justify a lengthy deal and gives the team a decent chance of not coming to regret it in the years to come, too.

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.

Batting eighth for the 2022 Chicago Cubs: Jason Heyward (RF)

Look, odds are next to nil the Cubs actually go out and, in one single winter, add the likes of Starling Marte, Carlos Correa and Matt Olson. But if they really wanted to, the money (and prospects) are there to make it happen.

But not even in a dream world are they going to get a team to take on the two years and $44 million left on Jason Heyward’s contract. They’ll have to hope the veteran and five-time Gold Glover can bounce back from his disastrous 2021 season that was cut short by a concussion.

After a breakout 2020 at the dish, there was legitimate hope that Heyward had figured something out in the COVID-shortened season. But alas, that wasn’t the case. He was more than 30 percent below league average with the bat in his hands and looked sluggish on the bases, to boot.

Batting ninth: Nick Madrigal (2B)

One of the bigger names acquired at the July 30 trade deadline, Nick Madrigal never got to suit up for his new team due to a hamstring injury. Still, between him and Codi Heuer, the Cubs are definitely the early winners in the Craig Kimbrel trade – and that could only get worse for White Sox fans in 2022.

Madrigal – a notoriously solid contact bat – will get the nod at second base in 2022, looking to maintain his lifelong streak of never batting below .300 in a single season. Pairing him with the Gold Glover Olson at first could do wonders for his glove work and help him take things to new heights upon his return.

On the mound for the 2022 Chicago Cubs: Marcus Stroman

There are a lot of teams out there circling the starting pitcher market this winter – so the Cubs will have their hands full grabbing multiple quality arms. But the top prize looks to be Marcus Stroman, who actually talked about potentially joining the team earlier this year.

The right-hander quietly turned in a 3.7 WAR season this year with the Mets, tying for the league lead with 33 starts. His pitch arsenal is wildly different than anything the Cubs currently boast in their crop of potential starters – and we know Hoyer is focused on adding some new looks, rather than the same old ‘pitch to contact’ types.

Stroman will pitch next year at age 31 – but if the Cubs can land him on a higher AAV-style deal that lets him hit the market again in a few years, he could make for the perfect ace atop a new-look Chicago rotation.

It would take more than Stroman to call this Cubs rotation even remotely solid. But Stroman, Kyle Hendricks and a Yusei Kikuchi is a quality trio to head things up, especially if Justin Steele or Adbert Alzolay can take that next step at the back of the rotation.