Chicago Cubs News: Matt Mervis idea, Matt Chapman, and Carlos Correa

Chicago Cubs first base prospect Matt Mervis has been the talk of the offseason after his breakout season where he hit 36 home runs across three levels of the organization. Mervis finished the 2022 season with the Iowa Cubs and there has been growing expectation that he will receive consideration for making the Major League team out of Spring Training.

There was also a belief that the Cubs would prefer to add a veteran right-handed first baseman this offseason as a way to ease Mervis into the Major League lifestyle. That is why there were questions raised when the Cubs signed veteran Eric Hosmer. Hosmer, a left-handed bat, does not represent the ideal platoon partner for Mervis but there is a chance that one could serve as the team's designated hitter.

Another idea is that Hosmer's signing could signal the Cubs' intention of trading Mervis. It was a thought exercise that Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation shared on Twitter.

Again, this is more a thought exercise than anything of substance but there is a point to be made. Given the breakout season in 2022, Mervis' stock is extremely high. The injury to outfield prospect Alexander Canario may have impacted the Cubs' ability to pull off a major trade this offseason. But, if the team has identified a Major League player on another team that is a clear fit, could Mervis be a part of that trade package? The answer may not be no.

Matt Chapman a trade target for the Chicago Cubs?

One name to keep an eye on for the Chicago Cubs as a potential trade target, or free agent target next offseason, is Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman. Chapman launched 27 home runs in each of the past two seasons while compiling a .331 wOBA and 117 wRC+ in 621 plate appearances last season. Chapman would also fit with the Cubs' emphasis on run prevention as he is a tremendous fielder at the third base position.

Other teams reaching out to Carlos Correa

Scott Boras has seemingly opened back up Carlos Correa's free-agent discussions with other teams in light of the lack of progress with the New York Mets. The belief over the course of the past two weeks was that Correa and the Mets were determined to finalize a deal despite the team's medical staff raising the same flags regarding the shortstop's 2014 ankle injury that the San Francisco Giants did.

It's possible that this is a negotiating tactic by Boras in order to create a sense of urgency with the Mets. Otherwise, it remains hard to believe that a third team would be comfortable with offering Correa a contract of at least 10 years for $300MM. Will the Cubs circle back to Correa? The medical concerns may lead Correa to be more open to taking a short-term deal with a high AAV and there is no doubt that the moves the team has made this offseason should appeal to the free-agent shortstop's preference to play for a contender. Having said that, it doesn't seem too likely that the Cubs will jump back into the discussion.