3 former free agent targets Cubs should pursue at MLB trade deadline

The Chicago Cubs are going to be buyers at the MLB trade deadline, and it's no secret what they need: some bench help, another starting pitcher, and perhaps a reliever or a third baseman.

They've been mentioned in incessant rumors for numerous targets — most recently, the Kansas City Royals' Seth Lugo and Jonathan India — and it wouldn't be surprising to see Jed Hoyer, Carter Hawkins and the front office complete a number of deals prior to July 31.

When you've got that many coals in the fire, sometimes the easiest way to facilitate a deal is to discuss a player a team is already intimately familiar with. The Cubs have scouted and pursued a number of free agents in recent years only to fall short in their efforts to sign them, though they now have a second chance at acquiring them on the trade market.

Which former free agent flames could the Cubs reunite with at the deadline?

3 free agent misses the Cubs should trade for at MLB deadline

Alex Bregman, 3B, Boston Red Sox

It's no secret that the Cubs have immense interest in Bregman, who was slashing .299/.385/.553 with the Red Sox before suffering a quad strain at the end of May.

In the time since, the Red Sox have self-imploded, trading away Rafael Devers for a meager package and struggling without Bregman's presence in the lineup. As they fall further out of postseason contention, they could look to deal their star third baseman for a haul that gets them set up for a contention window that would open in 2026.

Bregman would step in as the Cubs' starting third baseman in place of the struggling Matt Shaw, pushing the top prospect either to the bench (helping that unit out) or back to Triple-A Iowa (where he can get some much-needed additional seasoning).

Bregman's $40 million AAV would blow Dansby Swanson's team-leading $25.3 million figure out of the water, and given that he has two option years left at the same salary, the Cubs could be wary of acquiring a 31-year-old with recent injury issues. Still, if the price is right in a trade, Bregman would be perhaps the biggest impact player the team could acquire in July.

Yoán Moncada, 3B, Los Angeles Angels

Prior to the team's trade for Vidal Bruján (and signing of Justin Turner and Jon Berti), Moncada was a name frequently attached to the Cubs over the prior winter.

That pursuit ended when the Angels signed him to a one-year, $5 million contract in February, and the utility infielder started 30 games at the hot corner for Los Angeles prior to going down with knee inflammation in early June.

Assuming that he returns to full health — a big assumption given his injury history — Moncada profiles as a versatile option on Counsell's bench, one who could step in to the starting third base gig if Shaw continues to struggle against big league pitching. His 133 wRC+ this season more than doubles Turner's bench-leading 61 wRC+.

Given his contract and injury, Moncada would be incredibly cheap to acquire as a flier at the deadline.

Steven Matz, SP/RP, St. Louis Cardinals

Nearly four years ago, the Cubs pursued Matz as a rotation option prior to the southpaw deciding to sign with the Cardinals.

Now, after years of struggling to find consistency in St. Louis, Matz is thriving as a reliever in the final year of his four-year, $44 million deal. In 23 appearances (two starts), the southpaw has a 3.50 ERA (2.63 FIP) and 22.2% strikeout rate compared to a scant 3.3% walk rate.

Given the Cardinals' success this month, Matz may not even be on the table, and the Cubs are probably the very last team they want to deal him to if they are looking to duck his $11 million AAV on their final luxury tax calculations.

Still, Matz's versatility as a starter and reliever can't be ignored — especially for a team with rotation depth issues like the Cubs — and Chicago could make a pretty convincing offer for a rental arm, even if they have to pay an NL Central tax.