The Chicago Cubs are going to be aggressive on the winter free agent market.
Cubs chief baseball officer Jed Hoyer is running out of time to save his job, and he’ll be shopping this offseason with a loaded wallet.
As Hoyer is expected to go big or go home, a deal for Juan Soto could even be on the table for Chicago. However, given Soto’s other powerful suitors, Hoyer’s chances at acquiring the superstar outfielder are not amazing, and he needs to be prepared for a backup plan that would still generate shockwaves and markedly improve the Cubs lineup from a baseball standpoint.
Anthony Santander is a player that Hoyer should give deep thought to snagging, according to Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.
“It would be foolish to completely rule out the idea of the Cubs’ signing Juan Soto this winter,” Sharma and Mooney said. “But the Cubs will need multiple backup plans for their offense, especially if Scott Boras can pit two New York teams against each other and land Soto the richest contract in baseball history.”
“Anthony Santander could be one alternative, especially if Cody Bellinger opts out of his contract. Santander, who will turn 30 in October, is a middle-of-the-lineup switch hitter who might fit one of those contract structures preferred by the Cubs, a medium-term deal with a higher average annual value that doesn’t overly restrict the club’s future options.”
“Santander is having a great platform season with the Baltimore Orioles (38 home runs, 86 RBIs, .825 OPS), but he’s been a durable, consistent producer for years (six straight seasons with double-digit homers) on a team that’s learned how to win. Overshadowed by younger and more heralded teammates, Santander can use the postseason stage to showcase his skills in October.”
Once Bellinger decides on what he’s doing, the chips will begin to fall for Hoyer and the Cubs. Signing Santander would be a huge win for Chicago.
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