Cubs connected to former deadline obsession in fresh Winter Meetings twist

Outside of the Chicago Cubs' interest in adding a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher at the trade deadline last July, there was no shortage of rumors connecting the Cubs to All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suárez. Suárez was the talk of the deadline, considering the 36 home runs he hit with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 106 games before being traded to the Seattle Mariners.

The 53 games Suárez played with Seattle to close out the season told a different story. He still had the power, hitting 13 home runs in 220 plate appearances, but his strikeout rate ballooned to over 35%. The result was Suárez having an uninspiring slash line of .189/.255/.428 with a wRC+ of 91.

While Suárez was on his torrid pace with the Diamondbacks, the fear was that regression was coming, and that could ultimately be the reason why the Cubs took a backseat to the Mariners as the deadline approached.

Even with those struggles, conventional wisdom would suggest that the Cubs would have interest in Suárez this offseason. His projected contract almost certainly wouldn't be as lofty as the expectations were during his time with the Diamondbacks, and his age would make him a far cheaper option than Alex Bregman.

Cubs Rumors: Eugenio Suárez pops back up on Chicago's radar in time for the Winter Meetings.

The struggles in Seattle are likely what is at the center of Suárez not exactly being at the forefront of free agency talk this winter, but that seems to be changing. Baseball insider and international signings expert, Francys Romero, reports that the Cubs are exploring the third-base market in free agency, and that Suárez is someone they have their eye on.

To get the Matt Shaw question out of the way first, Suárez would likely start at third base against right-handed pitchers, with Shaw serving in a utility role. Against left-handed starting pitchers, Shaw would likely get the start at third base, with Suárez serving as the designated hitter, and Owen Caissie moving to the bench and Seiya Suzuki in right field.

Even if Suárez's offensive approach, as a whole, may be more volatile than Bregman's, he is likely within the Cubs' price range, considering a bulk of their spending will likely be allocated toward a top-of-the-rotation arm. Not to mention, since 2021, Suarez has hit over 30 home runs in 4 of those 5 seasons.

Factoring in that the Cubs are projected to have a power regression next season, the arrival of Suárez would add a much-needed element to their starting lineup.