GM ‘guarantees’ Cubs lands a superstar shortstop this winter

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. The Chicago Cubs have insane financial flexibility at their disposal, a need at the shortstop position and in the star power department and there are some top-shelf options available in free agency.

No, this isn’t a knockoff remake of Groundhog Day, it’s just where the Cubs find themselves after having the same exact need last winter only to address it by signing Andrelton Simmons and Jonathan Villar instead of throwing down big money on the likes of Carlos Correa, Javier Baez, Corey Seager or Marcus Semien.

Of course, given how some of those players have performed to this point, that may have been the right call – but that’s neither here nor there – because according to a report from USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale (I know, I know – consider the source here), the team will be going all-in on this winter’s crop of free agent shortstops.

"“I guarantee you they’re going to get one of them,” the unnamed GM told Nightengale."

This winter’s class is likely to be headlined by, again, Correa, as well as Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts. Both Correa and Bogaerts have opt-outs they’re expected to exercise and Turner will make his first foray into free agency heading into his age-30 campaign.

Cubs planning on going big on adding a superstar shortstop this winter

There are some next-tier options in the mix, but by the sounds of this report, Chicago has its sights set on adding a superstar-caliber presence at shortstop. Any of the three would be a noted upgrade, and could allow Jed Hoyer and David Ross to shift Nico Hoerner back to second base, where he’s already been a Gold Glove finalist.

Adding any of those three to the lineup would be an immediate game-changer and, with the right supplemental additions, the Cubs could very much be back in the thick of the NL Central come next year. Of course, that’s also dependent on guys like Patrick Wisdom, Frank Schwindel, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki doing what we hope they’ll do, but, regardless, right now, Chicago just doesn’t have anyone with the abilities of Turner, Bogaerts or Correa.

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So get ready for another offseason of rumors connecting the Cubs to every big-name shortstop. At least this time around, we won’t be left out in the dark with a lockout – which (hopefully) will make the second iteration of this particular hot stove rumblings at least a little more enjoyable.