Cubs don't have to worry about this team in their search for third base help

The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading back to the postseason. It might not be official yet, but with the league's best record, all signs point to Dave Roberts' team getting a chance to defend their title this fall.

Given their free-spending, high-dollar approach to roster-building, they're a team that's constantly a factor not only in free agency but at the trade deadline, seemingly always coming away with the players they covet. Thankfully for the Chicago Cubs, the Dodgers reportedly have no plans of adding a third baseman to fill in for Max Muncy, who is expected to miss six weeks with a bone bruise in his left knee.

Max Muncy out for six weeks; Dodgers not planning on adding at third

That's good news for Jed Hoyer, who is looking for short-term pieces to slot in at third given rookie Matt Shaw's continued struggles at the dish. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see Los Angeles swoop in and trade for someone like Eugenio Suarez, widely viewed at the top infielder potentially available in a trade, but, at least for now, that doesn't seem to be the team's plan.

“Even if [Muncy’s recovery] is way slow, you have a full month of baseball before we hit the playoffs,” Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said.  “So we’re giving him that time to get back into a good place and try to set a good foundation, like we try to do with all of our guys, to be prepared for that stretch run.”

Suarez makes a near-endless amount of sense for Chicago - but given how light the infield trade market is shaping up to be, the Cubs could face some stiff competition for his services. Other names connected to the Cubs include Ryan McMahon, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Luis Urias and Willi Castro - so it's pretty clear the front office is casting a wide net.

When he went down with the injury, Muncy was in the midst of another big year for the Dodgers, carrying a 134 OPS+ into the All-Star break. Now, Los Angeles will dip into its considerable roster depth to cover third as he works his way back late in the summer with the plan that he'll play a key role once again come October.

All roads to a pennant run through Chavez Ravine. But, at least in this instance, it doesn't seem like the Cubs will have to go toe-to-toe with the Dodgers to check a major item off their to-do list.