The Chicago Cubs are the latest team to have their name thrown in the ring among the high-end free-agent shortstop class, but the premium price tag might be too much with where their roster stands.
The Cubs are six years removed from snapping a 108-year drought between World Series titles, and their organization is in a peculiar spot after finishing with a 74-88 record in 2022, good for third place in the National League Central. A fairly young core comprised of mostly homegrown talent is set to lose Willson Contreras if he chooses to sign elsewhere.
But with a lot of upside surrounding their young starting rotation and a rising Minor League system, adding one of the big four shortstops on the market could be a big boost to the club.
During an appearance on MLB Network, Jesse Rogers of ESPN noted that cost and timing are a big question mark amid the Cubs being most interested in Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson:
“Well, they’re involved. Whether they write the big check or not, I just don’t know the answer because it depends how big of a check it’s going to be. The Cubs are involved in all tiers of the free agent market, but certainly in that one as well — the top end of those shortstops. Every day it’s a different name, but I’m hearing more about Dansby Swanson and Trea Turner these days than I am Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts, but that could change.”
Signing one of Dansby Swanson (28 years old), Carlos Correa (28), Turner (29) or Xander Bogaerts (30), will require a long-term commitment that the Cubs might not be in the best interest of their current standing. Giving out a contract of seven-plus years to players about to turn 30 mostly would coincide with paying for their prime years and managing the back end.
They also need to account for the bidding war that is sure to take place between mentioned teams in this market such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins.
However the Cubs approach free agency, they’ll need to be aware of their direction and if taking the Brinks truck route to one of Correa, Turner, Swanson or Bogaerts is the correct move.
In addition to Cubs, Dodgers remain interested in Trea Turner
Word around the league is that the Dodgers would prefer to sign Turner to a long-term deal instead of going in another direction, but that doesn’t seem to be the most likely outcome.
He’s maintained the stance that playing on the East Coast isn’t a preferred destination, however, the belief is that Turner in fact prefers to head that way, meaning the Braves or Phillies are much more in play than a reunion with the Dodgers.
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