Cubs should solve overlooked need with trade deadline reunion for former slugging prospect

The Chicago Cubs enter the All-Star Break in second place in the NL Central and double-digit games over .500. Considering how bleak things looked just one month ago, it's safe to say that we can chalk up the first half for this team as a success.

However, with success comes expectations, and to meet those expectations, the Cubs will have to add plenty of outside reinforcements at the trade deadline. We know pitching of all kinds is the priority, though some insurance on the bench (and especially at the designated hitter spot) could be a nice preventative measure in case the entire offense falters again in the second half.

If so, perhaps the Los Angeles Angels could serve as something of a one-stop shop for the Cubs prior to Aug. 3.

Obviously, guys like Reid Detmers, José Soriano, and even Ryan Zeferjahn will be on Jed Hoyer's radar as talented pitchers with team control extending beyond the end of 2026. But might a reunion with 2016 World Series champion Jorge Soler also pique the front office's interest?

Jorge Soler could augment Cubs lineup's biggest strength off the bench

Soler has had quite the journey since the Cubs traded him for Wade Davis following that 2016 title run, playing for five different teams over the past decade. He's had some difficult campaigns that have resulted in negative WAR totals, but he was also named an All-Star in 2023 with the Marlins and won the 2021 World Series MVP with the Braves.

Now 34 years old, he's not quite the same slugger who was an annual 30-homer threat in his prime, though he can still do plenty of damage at the plate. He's hitting .216/.302/.394 with 11 homers this year, resulting in a not-great 93 wRC+ and problematic 31% strikeout rate.

So, why would the Cubs want him back? Well, he's a readily available rental bat who will almost certainly come attached to plenty of money to offset some his remaining salary. He's also got an impressive track record with the platoon advantage, smoking left-handed pitchers to the tune of an .846 OPS and 126 wRC+ throughout his career.

That's obviously a huge strength for this team already -- Chicago ranks first in baseball with a 118 wRC+ versus southpaws -- but adding some power to that lineup against lefties wouldn't hurt. Soler would also seamlessly fit in as a platoon parter for Michael Conforto at DH, allowing Carson Kelly to get more rest on the days he isn't catching. With Moises Ballesteros still struggling even at Iowa, Soler could take Justin Dean's mostly unused spot on the bench as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency slugger.

Adding such a bat is hardly the top priority this summer. But, if the Cubs happen to find themselves sniffing around the Angels' pitching wares, a good-vibes reunion with a power hitter would be the cherry on top of a blockbuster trade.

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