Creativity will outshine dream scenarios for a critical Chicago Cubs' offseason

The idea of creating the dream offseason scenario for the Chicago Cubs is a difficult thought exercise.

The reason is because there are two obvious moves that the Cubs could make that would make their offseason a dream come true but neither is within the realm of possibility.

It's very easy to sit here and say that the Cubs have to sign Juan Soto this offseason. Signing Soto is the one true dream scenario for the Cubs this offseason. But, there are several reasons why the signing will never happen. The biggest reason remains the Cubs' aversion to swimming in the deepest waters free agency. Also, there is a very real likelihood that Soto isn't leaving New York.

Discarding the idea of signing Soto, the other dream move for the Cubs would be trading for Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Unlike signing Soto, the Cubs likely would be willing to pay the cost in prospect capital to acquire Guerrero. The issue is that the Blue Jays may be more motivated to sign the slugging first baseman to a contract extension as opposed to trading him.

Then, there is the Corbin Burnes conundrum. Depending on who you ask, the Cubs are expected to be a part of Burnes' free agency sweepstakes. If the Cubs were to hand out a contract that is larger than the 7-year, $177MM contract that Dansby Swanson signed prior to 2023, Burnes would be the likely recipient of such a deal.

A dream move may not be on the table for the Chicago Cubs this offseason.

On the surface level, yes, Burnes is a dream addition to the Cubs' roster but his potential arrival doesn't address the primary issue at hand for the Cubs: hitting home runs. The Cubs would deserve to be applauded if they mustered up the courage to meet Burnes' asking price but in the back of everyone's mind would be the question of offensive consistency.

All this points to the Cubs likely electing creative solutions this offseason as opposed to dream solutions. What that means is instead of Soto or Guerrero Jr., perhaps the Cubs target Anthony Santander is their impact bat and float a Nico Hoerner trade as a way to address the need on their pitching staff. Or, perhaps, Max Fried is the priority free-agent target for the Cubs and Hoerner is used in a trade to add a different hitting profile to the starting lineup.