Chicago Cubs Rumors: Jordan Montgomery and Matt Chapman mentioned as fallback ideas

With Shohei Ohtani deciding to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, there is an expectation that free agent activity will pick up over the next week.

The Chicago Cubs have yet to make a signing or trade to their Major League roster this off-season, likely due to their previous pursuit of Ohtani. Regardless of whether or not the Cubs were involved as a finalist for Ohtani, the fact remains there is now work to be done.

The Cubs' roster is objectively worse today than it was at the end of the season. With the free agent activity expected to pick up, the Cubs will need to act quickly.

To that end, a pair of free agents that get name dropped by Patrick Mooney in The Athletic (Subscription Required) is left handed starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery and third baseman Matt Chapman.

The Cubs have loosely been connected to Montgomery this off-season given their need for starting pitcher but Mooney's report was the first direct connection. With there being an expectation that the Dodgers will now pursue a trade for Tyler Glasnow, the Cubs may be forced to address their rotation need through free agency.

Chapman has been a popular name in the Cubs' rumor mill this off-season given the team's preference for defense and need at third base. The issue with Chapman is that his offensive profile showed some major regression last season. Chapman's 2023 season was carried but his hot start during April but he slashed .205/.298/.361 from May to the end of the season with 12 home runs and a wRC+ of 84.

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