Blue Jays' World Series standout emerges as a curious Cubs fit ahead of free agency

When it comes to the Chicago Cubs improving their starting lineup, it's not an easy exercise to come up with a fit. If you squint, the Cubs, in theory, could add a third baseman like Alex Bregman while moving Matt Shaw to a utility role next season. Short of that type of move, it seems that there is a strong chance that the starting lineup the Cubs had at the end of the NLDS will look pretty similar to their lineup on 2026 Opening Day.

Of course, that lineup almost certainly won't include Kyle Tucker, which is why many believe the Cubs have to find a way to upgrade their offense this offseason. Bregman is the logical answer, but The Athletic's Jim Bowden has the Cubs taking a potentially curious turn.

Going through the top 50 free agents this offseason, Bowden lists the Cubs as a potential fit for Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette. Currently in the middle of a World Series run with the Blue Jays, Bichette has become a beloved figure in Toronto.

Returning from a knee injury that had him sidelined since the first week of September, Bichette played second base for the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the World Series. It's the first time in his Major League career that he's played a position other than shortstop, and that is at the center of why the Cubs as a fit for him this offseason doesn't make much sense.

Cubs interested in Blue Jays vet who could crowd an already messy depth chart

The Cubs are set at shortstop with Dansby Swanson in the middle of his seven-year deal, and fresh off a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger nomination, it wouldn't make sense for Nico Hoerner to be moved off of second base. Potentially, the Cubs could be interested in Bichette playing third base, but it would be a foreign concept. Bichette has never played a game at third base over the course of his professional career.

Add in that Bowden has Bichette's contract projection at $189MM for 7 years, and the Cubs can all but be ruled out as a suitor. Perhaps there is another shoe that Bowden expects to drop that could make Bichette a clear fit for the Cubs, but right now, it's an odd pairing.