The Chicago Cubs could still look to add a third basemen to provide competition for prospect Matt Shaw in spring training.
The Chicago Cubs have a hole open over at third base that still figures to need an occupant for next season. With President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer indicating that top prospect Matt Shaw will get a:
“long look” at third base, but “he has to earn that jobs”
it sounds like its Matt Shaw’s job to lose. With the Chicago Cubs previously being in on trying to sign former Seattle Mariners utility-man Josh Rojas, who ended up signing with their crosstown rival the Chicago White Sox, the Cubs could figure to look to add another veteran to their baseman to provide that competition for Matt Shaw.
Alex Bregman
In what I would describe as a “Hall of Fame career” the 30-year-old Alex Bregman has played in 1111 career games, collecting 1132 hits, 265 doubles, 18 triples, 191 HRs, 663 RBI, with a career slash line of .272/.366/.483 for an OPS and OPS+ of .848 and 132. Alex Bregman to his credit to being a great offensive player Bregman has been one of the top third basemen defensively for his whole career winning his first Gold Glove award last season, which to me is shocking.
During a recent podcast the New York Post Jon Heyman revealed his thoughts on where third basemen Alex Bregman could end up this off season and he mentioned the Chicago Cubs as being a possibly landing spot saying that he:
“wouldn’t be shocked”
The Cubs do have an edge over most teams who would like to acquire Bregmans services with having his former teammate when he was with the Houston Astros Kyle Tucker on their roster. Having Tucker on the roster if the Cubs were in fact able to sign Bregman would give him some level of comfort with coming to a new city giving him at least one familiar face he knows. Adding Alex Bregman would be the most expensive route for the Chicago Cubs to take, but if the Cubs add Alex Bregman to their lineup, they’d jump to having one of the best lineups in baseball.
Yoán Moncada
The Cubs were connected to be one of the “several” teams interested in acquiring Yoán Moncada this offseason after he was released by the Chicago White Sox earlier in the offseason. Once thought of as one of baseball’s future stars and top prospects Moncada has not lived up to being either of those things since debuting. Just playing twelve games for the White Sox in 2024 before going down with an injury, Yoán Moncada has dealt with a ton of injuries throughout his career which has limited his abilities and his time on the field.
Being that he is a switch hitter and looking to prove he can be healthy for this upcoming season the Chicago Cubs could look to sign Moncada to a one-year deal and either being a backup to Matt Shaw if Shaw takes off or be his platoon partner for third base. Moncada also has the ability to play second base which could add value for the Chicago Cubs who need someone else to fill in at second base until Nicor Hoerner returns from his offseason surgery. Signing Yoán Moncada could provide a low-risk high reward type of signing for the Chicago Cubs to make.
Jon Berti
The 35-year-old Jon Berti was limited to just twenty-five games for the New York Yankees last season having dealt with a left calf strain that sidelined Berti. Even though Berti only appeared in twenty-five games he still impressed with having a slash line of .273/.324/.318 for an OPS and OPS+ of .661 and 90 in 66 at-bats. Able to play third, second, and at thirty-four can play shortstop if needed.
Berti would provide a solid bench bat for the Chicago Cubs to add being he has been a solid bench player for his career. The Cubs could really entrust Jon Berti to hold down second base job with giving them decent offense until Nico Hoerner returns to the lineup.
Whether the Cubs sign one of these three remains to be seen, but all would provide value to the Cubs. While signing Alex Bregman would indicate that he would be the starter come opening day and that seem to be a long shot but signing either Yoán Moncada or Jon Berti would give the Cubs good depth pieces to go into the season with.
For More Great Chicago Sports Content
Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
