Chicago Cubs: 3 realistic DH targets that project well for 2022

The universal DH is arriving to the National League and 2022. Obviously, this changes the way the game has been structured for as long as any of us can remember, with a brief example of what it would look like in 2020 during the pandemic-shortened season. Personally, I am not opposed to it. NL teams are now able to add another key hitter to their lineup – which should mean more offense.

Even prior to the DH announcement, the Chicago Cubs had more shopping to do. Obviously, you could just slide a player already on the roster into the role and be done with it (as we looked at here). If you want to add some thump, though, there are quite a few hitters currently available whose defense isn’t but the best but their bat sure brings a lot of value and offensive production.

For the Cubs, this is definitely something that could benefit the team. Finishing 20th in the league in runs per game wasn’t the only catalyst of a losing season in 2021, but it sure doesn’t help matters when your pitchers and hitters are struggling.

Cubs: 3 realistic DH targets that make a difference – #3: Eddie Rosario

Fresh off a World Series victory and NLCS MVP honors, Eddie Rosario hit free agency. He is primarily an outfielder, so this would allow Chicago to rotate him in and out of the DH spot, while also giving him reps in the outfield.

Rosario offers a career slash of .275/.309/.473 while landing in the top 20 in MVP voting twice. He really struggled in Cleveland last season before being traded to Atlanta, where he bounced back to be right in line with what he’s done in his career at the dish.

Although 32 career at-bats is not a large enough sample size to draw any substantive conclusions, his career slash at Wrigley Field is .313/.371/.531 – so it sure seems like he enjoys hitting at the Friendly Confines. Right now, his projected contract predictions range anywhere from $10-15M annually. As it sits with the Cubs payroll, the funds are plentiful if they want to add Rosario to the mix.

Like I said, adding a run-producer to the mix is a must for Chicago – the only real question is how much Jed Hoyer and the crew decides to spend. Rosario has averaged 100 RBI per 162 games in his career – so check that box. His October performance last year shows he doesn’t shy away from big moments and he could be a nice pick-up once the lockout ends.

Cubs: 3 realistic DH targets that make a difference – #1: Nelson Cruz

Landing at number one on this list is Mr. Consistent, Nelson Cruz. Cruz has cemented his place as one of – if not the – best designated hitters in the game today. Remarkably, they slugger is 41 and still going as strong as ever in terms of offensive production at the plate. When you break down his stats over the number of years he has been in the league, it really is fascinating to see him continue to defy the odds season after season.

Entering his 18th year in the league, Cruz is still projected to bat a well above average  .263/.339/.504 with 31 home runs and 82 RBI. If fact, he has hit over 100 RBIs on four separate occasions, topping out with a career-best of 119 in 2017. For his career, Cruz has batted .277/.346/.527 with 449 HR and 1,238 RBI. The argument can already be made that he will one day land in Cooperstown. Minus 2020, he has hit 30 home runs in seven straight full seasons and has just not slowed down at all.

Cruz is a seven-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger Award winner and has finished top 10 in MVP voting four times. With a 162-game average of 39 homers and 107 RBI, Cruz’s bat adds instant production at the plate in the clean-up spot. The money is there – and if the team isn’t in it come the deadline, you know teams would be clamoring to add this bat to the mix in a trade.