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3 superstars the Cubs could target via blockbuster trade this winter
If the Cubs want to add serious star power, the trade market might be their best bet.
If you follow the latest Cubs rumors, you've likely seen reports connecting Chicago to each of the three players we're going to touch on here. But in the interest of compiling the biggest names who could be targets for Jed Hoyer heading into 2024 in one place, let's dive right in.
Let's start by saying this. Even with one of these two big bats added to the mix, the team still either needs to re-sign Cody Bellinger or find another equal-quality run producer if the offense wants to take that next step.
3 superstars the Cubs could target via trade: #3 - Pete Alonso
The first offseason Cubs trade rumor breathed new life into a report we saw back in July as the trade deadline approaching, connecting the North Siders to longtime Mets slugger Pete Alonso.
Alonso, one of the league's premier power bats, was reportedly furious over the firing of Buck Showalter at season's end. That led many to speculate he might be ready to move on from the Mets, especially with ownership and the front office hitting a soft reset after going all-in this year, only for things to blow up in their faces.
Other reports have refuted that since, but it doesn't change the fact that adding Alonso, even for just one year, would address two major areas of need for the Cubs: an everyday first baseman and a legitimate middle of the order power bat.
This season, Alonso hit just .217, but still mashed 46 home runs and drove in 118 runs, en route to a 122 OPS+. The Cubs haven't had a player surpass the 40-homer mark since 2005, but if they pull off a trade for this prodigious power bat, that could quickly change.
3 superstars the Cubs could target via trade: #2 - Tyler Glasnow
One could make the case Tyler Glasnow may be a tier below someone like Alonso who, after a pair of Home Run Derby titles, is more of a household name - but he's still got the stuff to be a real difference-maker atop a starting rotation.
Health is the continued question when it comes to the right-hander, but he poses no long-term risk. The big factor at play here is his $25 million salary for 2024, the final year of his deal with the Rays. The small-market Rays have never doled out that much for one player and it's hard to imagine they're about to buck that trend now.
The Cubs, meanwhile, have the prospect depth to land Glasnow and, being one of the most valuable franchises in the game, could easily add his salary for the one year. David Ross could pair the 30-year-old with Justin Steele atop the rotation, giving Chicago one of the best 1-2 punches in the National League if Glasnow can stay healthy.
3 superstars the Cubs could target via trade: #1 - Juan Soto
Of course, we can't have this list and not feature Juan Soto. Given his age, he could be the exception to Chicago's unstated rule against decade-plus long contracts - but the dollar amount would be enough to make Tom Ricketts sob uncontrollably.
Reports this week connected the Cubs to Soto - and even calling out Christopher Morel as a guy the Padres are 'very high' on. San Diego could simply look to unload payroll or eat some of the salary for a stronger prospect return, but either way, Chicago is in a position to make a trade happen.
Soto will be a free agency after the 2024 season, but would be the biggest name to put on the Cubs pinstripes in years. Chicago won't be the only team looking to land the outfielder, but they are, arguably, in the strongest position to get a deal done if the front office decides to push its chips in on the former batting champ.
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