Chicago Cubs Rumors: Three trade targets to acquire another bat

Three trade targets - 1. Christian Walker

Like Cron before him, Christian Walker is another first baseman that may be traded. Walker, unlike Cron, does have two years left of team control and therefore is a much steeper price to pay. However, his 5.1 WAR in 2022 compared to Cron's 2.1 make him much more worth the price. This season, he slashed .242/.327/.477 with 36 HRs and 94 RBIs. He adds value defensively, which the Cubs love, as he won his first career Gold Glove at first base this season.

Still, Walker is estimated to be just a 7.4MM luxury tax hit, making him very affordable for a Cubs team getting ever-so-close to the first luxury tax tier this winter. Walker did manage 29 HRs and 63 RBIs in 2019, but this was a no-doubt career year for him. Adding him now with two years left of control immediately helps the Cubs contend with the top of the division and eye a playoff spot. Whatever Chicago does, they need to add another bat this winter. The trade market may be the answer to that problem if they find a trade partner who doesn't cost them an arm and a leg and can still produce efficiently next season.