There's one Cubs third base trade target that makes more sense than others

If recent trade rumors are to be believed, Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to shore things up for the dog days of summer.

Chicago has been connected to a number of starting pitchers, a former All-Star closer and several third basemen - a need that's arisen in the wake of Matt Shaw's inconsistencies at the plate this season. But looking at the list of names, which includes Ryan McMahon, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Taylor Ward and others, one stands out as a perfect fit: noted Cubs killer Eugenio Suarez.

Eugenio Suarez is the perfect trade fit for the Cubs at the deadline

Suarez would immediately address the team's offensive black hole at third base. He entered Monday with 25 home runs and a 141 OPS+. Adding him to a lineup that already ranks second in the National League behind only the Dodgers in runs would be huge for Chicago. Better yet, he's in the final year of his contract, making him a rental. That means the asking price will be more controlled than if Hoyer was to pursue someone on a multi-year pact.

That contract factor is also important because it won't block Shaw from getting another bite at the apple next spring. The Cubs don't want to block their former top prospect long-term, despite his struggles during his rookie campaign.

I've already delved into why Hayes is a terrible fit for Chicago's third base problems. He's essentially a more expensive version of Shaw under a contract through 2030. What the Cubs need is more offense at third base and he hasn't shown any ability to be a productive run producer in years.

The only way McMahon fits is if Colorado is eating some of the money left on his deal. Although it only runs through 2027, it comes with a $16 million annual price tag. The 30-year-old has been utterly abysmal away from Coors Field this year, slashing just .180/.267/.311 in road games. While he's showcased decent defensive versatility, he's anything but an upgrade from Shaw at the plate.

If the Cubs want to shore up third base, which could push Shaw onto the bench, improving the situation there over the likes of Vidal Brujan and Jon Berti, Suarez does that, also adding another heavy hitter to the lineup. This is a no-brainer. If the Diamondbacks are sellers, this is your guy.