Chicago Cubs Rumors: Could Brian Anderson fill 3B need?

One area of possible need for the Chicago Cubs this offseason is a the third base position. With the Cubs likely using Christopher Morel in a super-utility role during the 2023 season and Patrick Wisdom struggling defensively at the position last season with 14 errors, it would seem that the Cubs could use an upgrade at third base.

The Cubs have a plethora of infielders on their active roster that remain in a holding pattern depending on whether or not the team is successfully able to sign a top free-agent shortstop this offseason such as Carlos Correa. Wisdom, second baseman Nick Madrigal, and utility infielder Zach McKinstry all could be in limbo depending on how the Cubs' offseason unfolds.

Signing Correa would move current starting shortstop Nico Hoerner over to the second base and likely leave Madrigal as a trade piece considering the lack of experience he has at third base over the course of his career. Wisdom's power still plays at the Major League level so the Cubs likely will find a way to keep him on their roster either at first base or as a designated hitter that has the ability to play in both the infield and outfield. McKinstry remains a candidate to be outrighted from the 40-man roster at some point this offseason given the recent transactions the Cubs have made.

That leaves a question mark at the third base position for the Cubs. One option that the Cubs may want to consider is former Miami Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson. Anderson became a free agent on Friday after the Marlins opted against tendering the 29-year-old a contract for the 2023 season.

At a low cost, Brian Anderson makes sense for the Chicago Cubs.

From 2018-2020, Anderson was the best player on an otherwise irrelevant Miami Marlins baseball team. Anderson posted a wRC+ of 113, 114, and 120 respectively in each of those three seasons while showing the capability of being able to play in the outfield and third base.

Injuries have limited Anderson to less than 100 games in each of the past two seasons and that could be part of the reason why he struggled offensively with the Marlins in 2022. In 2022, Anderson had a slash line of .222/.311/.346/.657 in 383 plate appearances.

Anderson shouldn't be viewed as the main addition to the Cubs' offseason plans but the team could do worse in terms of a complimentary piece that has the ability to play multiple positions.