3 bats Cubs should pursue to fill their need for a productive bench player

Simply put, the Chicago Cubs' bench stinks.

The team's current bench of Reese McGuire, Justin Turner, Jon Berti, and Vidal Bruján can at least claim that it looks versatile and effective on paper, but in practice, it's arguably the weakest unit on the entire team.

Save for McGuire (143 wRC+ in 42 plate appearances) and the injured Miguel Amaya (.819 OPS), just about everyone who has taken up residency on Chicago's bench this year has been an unmitigated disaster.

If you pay attention to the rumblings on social media and certain tea channels, you may know the Cubs are searching for an upgrade on the pine, especially over the disastrous Bruján (17 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR). If they do find themselves getting aggressive at the trade deadline, these are a few of the options who would fit their needs (and budget) perfectly.

3 free agents/trade targets Cubs should pursue for bench needs

INF Jeimer Candelario, Free Agent

How about a little reunion (for the second time) with an old friend?

The Cincinnati Reds cut bait with Jeimer Candelario about halfway through his three-year, $45 million contract, one that he signed after thriving in 2023 with the Washington Nationals and Cubs. He struggled badly in Ohio, slashing .207/.265/.394 (76 OPS+) and posting -1.6 Wins Above Replacement (Baseball Reference).

While that doesn't sound like much of an upgrade over the Cubs' current unit, Candelario still has a career .726 OPS and was an above-average hitter for his career (102 OPS+) prior to arriving in Cincinnati.

At this point, he's limited to being a corner infielder, which would position him as a replacement for Turner more so than Berti or Bruján. But regardless of whose roster spot he would take (again, Bruján is likely the first guy out the door), Candelario would be, by far, the highest upside bat on Craig Counsell's bench.

OF Mike Tauchmann, Chicago White Sox

Death, taxes, the White Sox sucking, and Mike Tauchman being the platonic ideal of a fourth outfielder.

Even as he recovers from a hamstring strain that has landed him on the IL for the second time in 2025, Tauchman remains about as perfect of a fit for the Cubs' bench needs as anyone in baseball.

A capable defender in all three outfield spots (though he's only played right field for the White Sox this season), Tauchman is slashing .258/.365/.464 (133 OPS+) in 115 plate appearances this year, and is working a ridiculous 14.8% walk rate.

He's a reliable lefty bat on a rental contract worth less than $2 million total. At 25-53, the White Sox's chances in 2025 are kaput. Given their surprisingly bountiful recent trade history, these crosstown rivals shouldn't be scared about linking up again this summer.

3B Eugenio Suarez, Arizona Diamondbacks

Unlike the first two players on this list, Suárez is not a pure bench play — he could be the starter at third base down the stretch if Matt Shaw doesn't figure out his recent struggles, particularly against fastballs.

Regardless, the 38-37 Diamondbacks are fighting a losing battle in baseball's most ruthless division, and may be better off selling with an eye on 2026 now that Corbin Burnes is out for the season following Tommy John surgery.

Suárez is in the final season of his contract ($15 million salary, $13 million AAV) and playing well, hitting 25 home runs and posting a 140 wRC+ in 77 games. He'd be one heck of an addition to the middle of the lineup, and he could serve as a platoon option for Michael Busch at first base if the Cubs do elect to keep Shaw around (perhaps playing in a utility role).

This would be a bigger swing than just directly upgrading one of the bench spots, but the Cubs are in position to go for it at the deadline this year. Don't discount the chances of them making an aggressive move for a power-hitting righty.