Cubs Rumors: Insider keeps pushing deal that makes zero sense for Cubs

It seems that the Chicago Cubs are in the market for a starting third baseman ahead of the MLB trade deadline, and the obvious target is Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Yet, outside of Suarez, the one third baseman the Cubs have been connected to the most is Ke'Bryan Hayes of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The latest reminder comes from Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

"The New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs have all checked in with the Pirates for third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes."

The Yankees, Tigers, and a handful of other contenders also have an interest in Suarez. For most teams that need a third baseman, it would make sense that Hayes is a fallback option if they aren't able to land the All-Star third baseman from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

For the Cubs, however, it doesn't make sense to have interest in Hayes if Matt Shaw is going to be on the Major League roster. Short of posting a 194 wRC+ in 2020, Hayes has never put it together offensively at the Major League level. He remains an excellent fielding third baseman, but is in the middle of an 8-year deal worth $70MM. In other words, Hayes wouldn't be a direct upgrade over what the Cubs are already getting from Shaw at third base.

MLB insider keeps floating a trade Cubs fans can’t stand

If you squint, you could potentially see a path for Hayes at third base for the Cubs if Shaw were not on the Major League roster. The only possible thought exercise that allows for that would be if the Cubs dealt Shaw for a controllable ace who is under control beyond this season, then perhaps Hayes is the immediate answer at third base. However, moving Shaw would be an extremely aggressive pivot for Jed Hoyer, even in a year when he has confirmed no prospect is untouchable.

As the deadline nears, it's hard to imagine Hayes is a priority target for the Cubs' front office. That could change, but for now, it seems like the answer at third base will either be Suarez or a combination of Shaw and another bench piece added before the deadline.

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