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The Chicago Cubs have been struggling in recent weeks, going 10-10 so far in June. Chicago is currently 46-33 and holds a two-and-a-half game lead in the National League Central.
The biggest concern is starting pitching, and the Cubs are expected to be aggressively seeking pitching upgrades prior to the trade deadline.
However, another major concern for the Cubs is third base. Rookie Matt Shaw started the season as the every day third baseman but was sent down due to offensive woes.
Shaw returned to Chicago on May 19 and appeared to have figured out big league pitching, but the rookie has slashed just .179/.225/.269 in June.
When depth infielders Vidal Brujan and Jon Berti have played third base, they haven’t produced either.
The Cubs made an offer for two-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman in the offseason, but Bregman signed with the Boston Red Sox instead.
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Though Bregman probably won't be traded at the deadline, the Red Sox are unpredictable and the Cubs have been named the top landing spot for the former Gold Glover.
“There’s no better fit out there for Bregman than the Chicago Cubs,” wrote FanSided’s Zachary Rotman. “Bregman's contract status might be concerning for most, but it shouldn't scare the Cubs away. Acquiring Bregman would not only drastically improve their World Series odds for this season, but it'd give Shaw a chance to take the rest of the season to develop in the Minors.”
Bregman is in the first year of a three-year, $120 million contract that has opt-outs after this season and next.
According to Rotman, Cubs third basemen as a whole are tied for 28th in the Majors with a 58 WRC+ and dead last with -0.5 fWAR.
If the Cubs are serious about contending, especially in what could be Kyle Tucker’s only season in Chicago, acquiring a talent like Bregman could be the move that propels them into October.
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