Cubs may be wasting time as Red Sox hand Brewers first World Series casualty

While the Chicago Cubs send out mixed signal over how active they will be before the MLB lockout in December, activity appears to be picking up. With the first surprise of the offseason, the Boston Red Sox have signed former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers to a four-year contract worth $56 million.

While the Brewers did extend Bauers the qualifying offer at the start of free agency, there was a sense that he would be moving on to richer pastures in 2027. Even Pat Murphy knew it, "joking" with Bauers literally seconds after the Brewers won the World Series last month that the veteran slugger should remember how special his time in Milwaukee was. An odd thing to say in the immediate aftermath of winning the World Series, but as with his managing, Murphy's schtick proved accurate.

The only difference being that Bauers' contract was with the Red Sox, and not the New York Yankees as Murphy had quipped.

Jake Bauers wasn't a clear Cubs fit, but Red Sox stealing him from Brewers is an important reminder

If you squinted, Bauers had the impression of being a potential fit for what the Cubs would be looking for this offseason. Yes, pitching is the priority for the Cubs, but this is a team that's losing a decent amount of power with the expected departures of Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, and Michael Conforto. As a left-handed hitter who had 18 of his 26 home runs in 2026 against right-handed pitching, Bauers is the profile of the type of hitter the Cubs should pursue this offseason.

What made Bauers an unlikely target for Jed Hoyer and Co. is that he was going to cash in on his rags-to-riches success with the Brewers. Ideally, the Cubs should be looking for a hitter in a similar position Bauers was in when the Brewers made a buy-low trade for him ahead of the 2024 season. Doesn't mean it will work, but it speaks to the level of which the Cubs will pursue hitters this offseason.

Overall, between Evan Phillips' contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, and now, Bauers with the Red Sox, it seems the frenzy before the lockout is starting. The Cubs have yet to signal that they will operate with much urgency this month, and that could put them in a precarious position as December nears.

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