Cubs could steal a versatile Gold Glove candidate from Braves this offseason

The Chicago Cubs are going to lose a lot of talent this offseason. Whether that's in the form of starting pitching (Kevin Gausman, Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, etc.), bullpen help (Caleb Thielbar, Jacob Webb, etc.), or talented outfielders (Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Tyrone Taylor, and Michael Conforto), the organization simply won't be able to keep everyone around.

That last group is probably the most problematic, seeing as the Cubs built their identity in recent years around a league-leading offense and historically great defense. Happ and Suzuki, in particular, played huge roles this season by combining for 50 home runs and two Gold Glove finalist nominations.

Replacing one or both of them will be rather difficult with so much of the front office's focus being directed toward a pitching staff overhaul, but there is a fellow impending free agent who could make for an excellent consolation prize without costing the Cubs on anything on defense.

Signing Mauricio Dubón would be perfect table-setting move to kick off Cubs' offseason

Mauricio Dubón has earned a reputation as one of the better modern-day Ben Zobrist impersonators in the league for good reason; he won utility Gold Gloves in 2023 and 2025 with the Astros and was nominated for another one this year with the Braves. He's as versatile as they come, having played nearly 800 innings in the outfield and more than 500 across the infield in 2026.

Considering he's been above average at every single defensive spot on the field (besides catcher and pitcher) throughout his career, he could immediately step into Happ or Suzuki's vacated role(s) in the outfield corners. Alternatively, he could continue flexing his muscles in a super-utility position, allowing Matt Shaw to focus his attention on just one of those outfield spots.

It's also worth noting that Dubón isn't merely a glove-only player. He just had his best offensive season ever in Atlanta, posting a .719 OPS and 99 wRC+ to go with 12 home runs and 10 steals. Especially off the bench, that kind of production would go a long way toward keeping the Cubs' offense among the most potent in the league.

This will be Dubón's first foray into free agency, and he'll get a pretty penny after accumulating 4.6 fWAR over the past two seasons. He's not so valuable that he's likely to receive a qualifying offer, but he'll be hotly pursued by nearly every contender looking to upgrade their defense and depth chart flexibility. That competition could push his next contract to uncomfortable levels, especially for a 32-year-old with a career wRC+ of 88.

That's what the Cubs will have to weigh in their pursuit of the Gold Glover. He's not a one-to-one replacement for Happ or Suzuki, but signing Dubón would greatly enhance their offseason flexibility to attack other parts of the roster.

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