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Chicago Cubs Rumors: Three cost-effective targets for the team
After the Chicago Cubs balked at even offering Carlos Correa a deal, It's not easy to remain optimistic for Cubs fans. Nor should they be. After the green light was given from Chairman Tom Ricketts for Jed Hoyer to spend what he needs to turn the team around, Hoyer has seemingly done nothing. The moves in acquiring Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon looked to be the beginning of a fantastic offseason for the Cubs. Since then, they've missed on every target they've been connected to.
Now down to Dansby Swanson, we will see if the non-offer to Correa was due to knowing they wouldn't land him because they didn't want to go 10+ years or if the Cubs are trying to pull the wool over our eyes. If the former, then they should be all-in on Swanson moving forward. In the meantime, the team still has needs. If they choose not to sign Swanson, there are players on the market that can be viewed as upgrades and therefore impact the Cubs roster. Though disheartening to where we were a week ago, let's take a look at three of those players.
3 realistic targets - 3. Trey Mancini
We've spoken about Trey Mancini before in length, but it's time to reevaluate due to the distinct possibility the Cubs don't land anybody of significance. Even if they did, Mancini was rumored to still be on the Cubs' radar regardless, as a platoon option at first base after missing on Jose Abreu. Mancini is off a terrible second half to the 2022 season, but he has been solid throughout his career. He has a career .265/.330/.457 slash line. Though those numbers won't win you an MVP award, they are still better than a lot of players on the current Cubs roster and therefore, Mancini can still be considered an upgrade.
Though Mancini hit just 18 HRs this year, he still has 20+ HR upside in his bat. His best year came in 2019 when he hit 35 and drove in 97 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles. He also can play in the outfield if necessary, which gives the cubs, even more, platooning options with the left-handed Cody Bellinger set to see reps in centerfield primarily. Having Mancini is a decent fill-in against a left-handed pitcher if they want to utilize more Patrick Wisdom at first to have both right bats in the lineup.
3 realistic targets - 2. Brandon Drury
Brandon Drury is another option the Cubs can look to sign as a platoon option for Matt Mervis. Drury is a utility man that just came off a career year between Cincinnati and San Diego post-trade deadline. Though he struggled in the unhitter-friendly confines of Petco Park, he still finished 2022 with a line of .263/.320/.492, to go along with 28 HRs and 87 RBIs. He won his first Silver Slugger this season as well. He brings a little more value defensively than Mancini as well.
Drury is primarily listed as a 3B, 2B, and Outfielder. However, in 2022 he spent 30 games at first base, so he can stick mostly anywhere the Cubs might need him. I am trying to understand why Drury hasn't been more of a target for the Cubs. As I've said, Wrigley Field is less hitter-friendly than Great American Ballpark, but he should still find success in Chicago. Against southpaws in 2022, Drury recorded a .299/.329/.626 with a .327 ISO and 160 wRC+ in 147 at-bats.
3 realistic targets - 1. Jean Segura
Landing at number one and certainly flying under the radar is Jean Segura. Carrying a career .285/.330/.408 slash, Segura is a guy that keeps Hoerner at shortstop while he mans 2B. The two-time all-star is fresh off a four-year run with Philadelphia and is a solid piece for whoever he signs with. Segura for the Cubs is a corresponding move that can be made should they miss on Swanson to at least have another solid bat in the lineup, coupled with good defense.
Next. Cubs never made an offer to Carlos Correa. dark
After moving over to second base, Segura has been much better defensively. He finished second behind Gold Glove winner Tommy Edman in both Outs Above Average with nine and runs prevented in which he recorded seven. He wound up missing an extended period in 2022 with a broken finger and, therefore, never really came close to those numbers, but given what they were in 2021, It's safe to assume he will be back to his usual self at 2B in 2023. At the very least, he is a good fallback option for the Cubs.