Cubs' big trade deadline pickup may keep them on the sidelines with a top free agent

On the treadmill this weekend, I had the Brewers-Cardinals game on and Milwaukee shortstop Willy Adames brought the fireworks to his own birthday party, smacking a grand slam - his 29th homer of the year - to celebrate turning 29.

Entering action Tuesday, Adames owned a 122 OPS+ with 29 home runs and a league-best 99 RBI, setting himself up for a major payday this winter when he hits free agency. The Dominican-born infielder has been a solidly above-average player since coming to the Brewers via trade from Tampa Bay back in 2021 with a 113 OPS+ in more than 2,200 trips to the plate and he's peaking at the perfect time.

This winter's free agent class is headlined, of course, by Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes - both of whom feel like long-shots for a team like the Cubs. Adames definitely won't command anywhere near that level of contract, but despite the need for a power bat, I don't see Chicago being a factor here, either.

Shortstop, the position Adames has played almost exclusively in his big league career, is blocked long-term by Dansby Swanson, who will head into 2025 in the third year of his seven-year, $177 million contract. I wondered if Adames could slot over at the hot corner with a new team given his above-average range and arm strength, but after the Cubs traded for Isaac Paredes at the deadline, you can cross third base off the shopping list this offseason.

Paredes has finally started to settle in with his new team, with an .813 OPS over the last week ahead of Tuesday's matchup with Pittsburgh. The goal in acquiring him was to raise the floor at the position and deliver more consistency - but it locks yet another position into a long-term solution.

Jed Hoyer will have to get tremendously creative this winter if he wants to upgrade the offense in a significant way - especially if Cody Bellinger opts into another year of his deal. Roadblocks abound and it might require the Cubs moving a cornerstone piece if they want a chance of really shaking things up in either free agency or via trade.