Toronto Blue Jays' latest signing is good news for the Chicago Cubs

With the news that the Toronto Blue Jays have signed switch-hitting third baseman Eduardo Escobar effectively takes the Jays out of at least aggressively pursuing slugger Matt Chapman. A reunion isn't entirely off the table. Still, given that the Chicago Cubs are in desperate need of the position and are expected to make a splash, along with knowing the San Francisco Giants should not be counted out for Chapman's services, it's hard to envision a scenario where Toronto decides to keep up in a bidding war.

It's worth noting that the Jays also lost Whit Merrifield at 2B this winter, a position Escobar appeared at in 20 games last year. Still, Escobar's time has primarily been spent at 3B recently, where he started in 65 contests in 2023.

Let's not forget the Jays recently signed Justin Turner, who makes more sense at DH but can fill in at the hot corner when necessary. The team also has infielders Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Cavan Biggio, and Santiago Espinal. With IKF, Biggio, Espinal, and Turner, second and third base are already busy to add Chapman now, too.

As for the Cubs, I believe they will ink a deal with one of the remaining Boras clients soon. I've heard a lot about how the Cubs don't like working with Boras, and they won't work out a deal with him. Remember that the Cubs first signed Cody Bellinger, a Boras client, just last winter. Boras can play hardball all he likes, but at the end of the day, it's not like these players will go unsigned and not play this season. However, seeing what happens in the Chapman sweepstakes with another team dropping out of the running will be interesting.

My money is still on Chapman landing in San Francisco while the Cubs land Bellinger. Soler is a DH, so the Giants signing him should not indicate an unwillingness to go after Chapman as well this winter. If the Cubs can get a deal done with Chapman, they should do it. My guess is he only winds up in Chicago if it's a shorter deal with a higher AAV, something Chapman may not be interested in if he can secure more guaranteed dollars elsewhere.

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