The Chicago Cubs have made some significant moves during the offseason to shore up their team and make a legitimate bid for a playoff run.
Trading for Houston Astros right field star Kyle Tucker was a big deal. Signing rehabbed lefty pitcher Matthew Boyd for a middle-of-rotation spot was also pretty big. Signing free agent backup catcher Carson Kelly to relieve Miguel Amaya was also a more significant move than acknowledged.
However, there are some other key areas that need to be targeted for improvement before the start of the 2025 season.
There’s the bullpen, of course, and, specifically, the need for an established closer to shut games down.
The Chicago Cubs Need Depth
There’s also a real need for depth across the board. With starting second baseman Nico Hoerner and starting shortstop Dansby Swanson having offseason surgery, there will be a need for quality players who can take inning in those two spots. There’s also the fact that the only third baseman penciled in so far is rookie Matt Shaw, who’s yet to see a single inning of major league ball. Meanwhile, Michael Busch at first base is, literally, the only first baseman on the roster.
The weakness is clear. Any significant down time for any of the infield starters could be disastrous for the team’s chances.
But what if Busch, who has played second base and third base all throughout the minors, were freed up to play one of those spots and the Cubs brought in another full-time option at first?
The Trade Proposal
Drew VonScio of Newsweek is proposing a deal with crosstown Chicago rivals, the White Sox, that would give the Cubs the flexibility to play Busch elsewhere.
In his theoretical trade, the Cubs acquire first baseman Andrew Vaughn from the White Sox and send over prospects 2B/OF James Triantos and RHP Jack Neely, plus cash considerations.
The theory in this is that Vaughn could play every day first base for the Cubs and Busch could move on to where he’s needed. The White Sox, meanwhile, would unload just under $6 million in salary, plus further stockpile assets in their farm system.
But does this trade make sense for both teams?
Does It Make Sense?
For the Cubs, this proposal doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, to be honest.
Vaughn has played first base longer and is an established entity as a major leaguer. However, it could be argued that Busch is already an all-around better player in general and even first baseman, specifically. In his rookie season, Busch topped Vaughn in both home runs (21 to 19) and in batting average (.248 to .246).
And while the offensive difference was negligible, Busch proved himself to be the far better defensive first baseman, despite this being his first full year at the position.
Overall, Busch is considered by most to have a far higher ceiling than Vaughn.
Meanwhile, the Cubs would be giving up their no. 5 prospect in Triantos and their no. 17 prospect in Neely. Triantos, especially, is highly regarded and thought to be a “can’t miss” prospect with a major league-ready bat.
The White Sox would be crazy to turn down such an offer. This would be the perfect kind of deal for a team in full rebuild mode.
For the Cubs, though? No.
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