As the Chicago Cubs recover from the disappointment of missing the playoffs in 2024, they know something big needs to change in seasons to come.
The Cubs failed to make a big splash last offseason, and they paid the price for it. Sure, starting pitcher Shota Imanaga was excellent in his first year in Major League Baseball, but what the Cubs really needed was a top-tier bat to anchor their iffy lineup.
All up and down the order, the Cubs are loaded with serviceable-to-good big-league hitters. Almost all of them are useful pieces on a championship team, but without that signature star to build around, Chicago never got hot enough to contend for the playoffs this year.
Knowing that fans will be devastated if the Cubs miss the playoffs again in 2025, a blockbuster trade could be on the docket this winter. James Neveau of NBC 5 Chicago agreed, saying that a player "like Vladimir Guerrero Jr." would be at the top of his wish list.
"With the large number of Top-100 prospects the Cubs have, and the number of large contracts that would be difficult to move to accommodate those players, it’s entirely possible the team could use a couple of minor league assets to go out and make a big trade this offseason," Neveau said.
If the Cubs are looking for a game-changer in their lineup, it's hard to draw up a better fit than Guerrero. He is still just 25, and is already a four-time All-Star who will likely finish top-five in Most Valuable Player voting this season.
Sure, the Cubs already have a first baseman in Michael Busch, but he could be moved around to other positions to get him at-bats, or he could be included in the deal. The bigger issue, though, is whether Guerrero is attainable, both from the Blue Jays and as a long-term piece.
As he enters his final season of team control, Guerrero will be looking to cash in on a massive contract extension. If the Blue Jays are willing to meet his terms (likely in the neighborhood of $300 million, then he's likely to stay there.
If not, a team like the Cubs will have to pony up the money after they trade for him. And Chicago might have to ensure it makes the best offer in order to land the middle-of-the-order bat they so desperately crave.
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