Cubs looking for another bat this offseason |
There is no question that the Cubs roster has the talent to compete, but they don't quite have the talent to get to the top. Mix that with a lack of overall depth across their roster, and this is a pivotal offseason for this team. Going back to the start of the postseason, when Jed Hoyer had his end-of-season presser, the Cubs President addressed several massive needs that he wanted to fill.
One need that wasn't talked about may not seem like a need, but it is indeed a massive need: finding not only some more bench depth but also left-handed bench depth. Looking at who the Cubs have on their roster right now, Nick Madrigal, Patrick Wisdom, Miles Mastrobuoni, and potentially Mike Tauchman are seen as the Cubs' bench options. Given Madrigal's defensive versatility at second and third, it seems likely that he will be here for at least one more season while Wisdom is expected to be released. Tauchman would be the perfect fourth OF, but there is an expectation that he will land a more lucrative deal elsewhere and could pursue another opportunity. Should he leave, it would leave Mastrobuoni as the Cubs lone lefty option off the bench barring a prospect getting an opportunity to do something. Sure, Mastrobuoni is very good defensively, especially at third, but with an average sitting below .220 for his career, he gives you next to nothing offensively. The Cubs can't afford to have players not producing when called upon, and if they want to be taken seriously, they need to get some thump off the bench from the left side. One of the options the Cubs could look to for a left handed bench piece would not only come cheap, but is versatile enough to play all over the field in, Adam Frazier. The long-time Pittsburgh Pirate spent last season with the Royals and has bounced around a lot the past few seasons playing for four different teams in three years. This season could be a fifth team in four years, and coming off a season where he barely hit .200 with four homers and 22 RBIs, there is a high likelihood that it may happen. Anytime you add a player like that coming off a season like he just had, it makes you wonder if he is a better option than what you currently have.
That is a valid question, but with a .262 career average, there is plenty of proof that he can at least provide you with a little bit if called on. The same can be said about Cole Tucker, who is also one of those guys who can be an extremely versatile piece.
A third baseman by trade, Tucker can play any of the infield positions and the corner OF spots, allowing him to create flexibility off the bench. He is also a switch hitter, so the Cubs could use him in different ways late in the game to get some at-bats. Tucker did next to nothing in his 50 plate appearances last season, hitting just .180 with three RBIs.
Looking at his entire career, Tucker could have been a better hitter, as he has logged a.213 career average with five homers and 40 RBIs. Sure, he has the potential to be better, but he hasn't proven it at all. Should the Cubs have to choose between him and Mastrobuoni, they would pick Mastrobuoni over him as he can steal bases late in games. There are other left-handed options, but most would want a more prominent role than the Cubs could give them.
As important as finding a left-handed bat is for this team, you can't argue that there is plenty of talent out there to be had for reserve-type roles. Thairo Estrada, Luis Urias, and Bo Bichette are all options, but unless one of them starts to hit left-handed, signing them doesn't make sense unless it is for Bichette, who is expected to have a massive bounce-back showing.
However, the most intriguing name on the open market was not only let go midseason, but is a player that would help the Cubs in more ways than one as Jorge Polanco does make sense for this team. Polanco is very limited regarding his versatility, as he is best suited for 2B. With Nico Hoerner coming off forearm surgery and not knowing how he will recover, adding a player who can play 2B off the bench would be huge, and Polanco fits that mold.
Like Tucker mentioned above, Polanco is a switch hitter who can be used at any point in the game, no matter who is pitching. He has also produced at a solid level, connecting for 16 homers last season despite a .217 average and driving in 43 runs. Compare that to his career numbers, and you would get a guy who is a career .263 hitter with 128 home runs.
That is the perfect pick-up for the Cubs off the bench, as they haven't had too many players like him who have worked out. Although it does appear that he will be looking for a multi-year deal with a chance to play right away, coming to the Cubs would be one of his better options, as he will have plenty of opportunities to see the field at least early in the season.
