The Cubs are clear buyers heading into next week’s deadline and are looking for upgrades. Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report that Eugenio Suárez of the Diamondbacks and Kyle Finnegan of the Nationals are two names on their radar.
Chicago’s third base situation has been unsettled for a while. They acquired Isaac Paredes at last year’s deadline but then flipped him to Houston in the offseason as part of the Kyle Tucker trade. That seemingly opened the door for top prospect Matt Shaw to take over at the hot corner, though the Cubs also hung around the Alex Bregman market into the middle of February.
Bregman ultimately signed with the Red Sox, which left the door open for Shaw, but he hasn’t seized the job. In 239 major league plate appearances, Shaw has a .210/.285/.304 batting line. That’s still a small sample of work and he could still emerge as a viable big leaguer, but third base is the most obvious weak spot in Chicago’s otherwise excellent lineup.
The Cubs have already been connected to Ke’Bryan Hayes, but Suárez is a more sensible solution at the hot corner. Hayes is a glove-first player with poor offense and is signed through 2029. He also plays for a division rival, which often complicates trade talks.
Suárez isn’t as strong a defender but has been on fire at the plate over the past year-plus. Dating back to July 7th of last year, he has 59 home runs, a .281/.336/.611 batting line and a 156 wRC+. Only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have more home runs in that span. Suárez is also a rental, which could be appealing to the Cubs. He could take over third base for the rest of the year, then depart in free agency. The Cubs could then decide in the offseason if they want to give Shaw another shot at earning the job or pursue alternatives.
Adding that kind of bat would be sensible for a lot of clubs but it’s still unclear if the Diamondbacks will make him available. They have suffered a significant number of injuries that have set them back this year, but they’re not totally buried. Every time it seems their season is over, they win a few more games to stay alive. They just swept the Cardinals over the weekend and are only 4.5 games out of a playoff spot. Suárez ripped four homers in that series to help fuel the victories.
If the D-backs decide to sell, they could really cash in. In addition to Suárez, they have Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Josh Naylor as high-profile impending free agents, in addition to guys like Randal Grichuk, Jalen Beeks, Shelby Miller and Kendall Graveman. They have reportedly listened to offers on some of their controllable non-Corbin Carroll outfielders.
Trading that group would bring back a haul of young talent but also punt the season. Per The Athletic, the Snakes will wait into next week to decide what to do, so the Cubs will also have to think about other options for third base. Even if Suárez is available, there will be lots of other clubs with interest. As mentioned, Hayes is one names the Cubs have also considered. Other potential options include Yoán Moncada, Ryan McMahon, Miguel Andujar or the Mets’ many young infielders.
As for Finnegan, that’s a pretty straightforward target. Almost all contending clubs look to make bullpen additions ahead of the deadline. Per The Athletic, the Cubs are fine with Daniel Palencia as the closer but are just looking to strengthen the bullpen more generally.
Finnegan has been Washington’s closer for a few years now but it’s been suggested that he should probably be in a setup role on a better club, as he doesn’t strike out as many opponents as a typical closer. This year, he has saved 19 games for the Nats but blown six other chances. In 36 innings, he has a 4.25 earned run average and subpar 19.3% strikeout rate, though his 46.7% ground ball rate is solid.
He’s also been better in the past, including last year. In 2024, Finnegan had a 3.68 ERA and 22.1% strikeout rate, though it was a tale of two seasons. He had a 2.45 ERA in the first half but then a 5.79 ERA in the second half after the Nationals surprisingly opted not to trade him. Washington wound up non-tendering Finnegan and then re-signing him to a one-year contract.
If Finnegan were no longer in a closing role, perhaps manager Craig Counsell could find ways to bring him into a game against opponents that he matches up well against, as opposed to just throwing him out there in the ninth inning regardless. Finnegan feels like a lock to get traded as an impending free agent on a poor club, but the Cubs will probably be one of several teams checking in.
Financially, the Cubs should have lots of room to work with this month. They paid the competitive balance tax last year but are well below it this year. RosterResource pegs them around $218MM right now, which is roughly $23MM below the base threshold. Even if they want to avoid the tax this year, that’s a lot of wiggle room. Suárez is making $15MM this year, meaning there will be about $5MM left to be paid out at the deadline. Finnegan is making $6MM, which will only leave $2MM left to be paid out at the deadline. It’s actually even cheaper than that since $4MM of the money in his deal is deferred without interest.
Photo courtesy of Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images
Suarez keeps mashing like this he is going to cost a lot for a rental.
If the Cubs add Suarez, they might very well have the best offense in baseball. Add a #2 starter in addition to Suarez and the Cubs instantly become World Series contenders.
The Cubs already have the best offense in baseball.
@dorothy
Are you saying they currently are NOT a World Series contender?
Shaw will be fine. They don’t need Suarez.
I also believe Shaw will be fine…..Eventually. But this season is flying right along. The clock is against him and the Cubs appear to be in a “Go for It All” position.
Fred as a Yankees fan, I may have different reasons for not wanting the Cubs to get Suarez. LOL
Says the Yankee fan that wants him for his team
Suarez might not hit in Chicago like he has in AZ, that team is clicking but Suarez hitting like he has this season in that Cubs lineup would be a huge upgrade.
Add Gallen or Kelly to that package and the Cubs would be a close second to the Dodgers if not the favorite to win the NL.
Suarez Moraz
With Tucker there for only this season they need to go all in.
That’s how fans think brilliant Ivy League gms think the opposite.
Jed Hoyer went to Weslyen College. He must be an idiot for not wasting his money on an Ivey League school. I guess the Cubs will go all in because he isn’t a brilliant Ivey Leaguer.
They will not be going all in so end of debate.
Are you a joke? What college taught you to debate by declaring the debate over?
I’m just educating you because I know you clearly don’t know so I’m saving you time and brain cells from over working that hollow skull
That didn’t even make sense. Try again.
Suarez will be going back home, back home to Seattle or back home to Cincinnati. Both Cube & Yanks have ample offense already, let other people have a little bit too. Ya know, spread the wealth.
Haha
Do it Jed
According to some of the media the Suarez deal should have been done by now but old Jed is too lazy to get anything done.
His price tag is going to be massive, but he would be a huge get for the Cubs. Send Shaw down to get more ABs in the minors these last two months and add another much needed RH difference maker to a good but LH heavy lineup.
The Brewers also need Eugenio Suarez, so that division battle will push his value even HIGHER
Every contender needs this guy this year lol. Just another reason to get him- to keep him away from the other contenders. No team wants to see this guy come to the plate with runners on in a playoff series.
D’Backs won three in a row and aren’t out of it. They would be passing up a big opportunity if they held onto Suarez and Naylor, Gallen and Kelly, their bullpen is as soft as it gets, maybe too soft, but there is a line where the D’Backs make all the trades for MLB ready players while adding to their bullpen and remain competitive.
It’s a difficult one to thread but possible.
That’s the kicker here in AZ, being a fan of the D’Backs for along time, I would not want to be in AZ GM Hazen shoes. Yes, right now, the D’Backs are in the playoff hunt barely. But with a bullpen ranked 27th out of 30 right now, and with Suarez at 34, a FA to be, won’t get nothing if you let him walk at the end of the season. Having at least 7 or 8 teams that are rumored to want him right now, that is a hard decision to make to trade him, chances are only 19% with a bad bullpen right now that the D’Backs will make the playoffs and here you have a golden goose that if you make the right trade could make a big jump toward the 2027 season. If the D’Backs keep all four, and don’t make the playoffs, it would be a disaster for the AZ D’Backs. Nothing then to show for 4 players that you could have got a good return for 2026, and especially 2027 when Corbin Burnes is expected to return. along with the two bullpen stoppers. Martinez, and Puk. Hope they make the right decision. I say right now 85-15 they sell.
The Brewers aren’t trading for anything significant.
If the Brewers are competing like they are now, they will if needed, just like in 2018 when they traded for Moustakas, Schoop, Curtis Granderson, Joakim Soria and Gio Gonzalez
They were competing last year. Did their GM do anything? He wasn’t the GM in 2018.
Competing, versus actually having a chance at the pennant are two different things. This squad is way better than last year due to all the young talent.
They were pretty good last year. Got eliminated on ball hit the other way that could have easily been an out. They had a lot of young talent last year too.
and they’ll still keep on winning, LOL.
Brown, Wicks and Rojas. They need 2 SP with control. Both need to be able to just pitch vs be in a win all team. Both should be fine as SP.
Rojas is a top 100 SS with good OPS. You value that as any team.
I don’t see Chicago giving up Caissie or Shaw or Horton in any deals but Alcantara, Ballestroes Wiggins, Birdsell all are open to trade for rentals.
You don’t send Shaw down instead he goes the the bench and you get rid of Berti. I would say Brujan but he’s the backup CF.
Meh. Shaw isn’t doing much on or from the bench imo. Berti can backup both second and first base in addition to third, giving him more value on the bench. Shaw could hit near the top of the order and get a lot of much needed ABs in the minors. A bench role isn’t going to help his cold bat.
Shaw can back up 2nd and SS. Turner can back up first. Berti and brujan are both dead weight. If they could get Tauch back I would drop brujan as well.
As a Cubs fan I’d rather them pursue pitching, but adding Suarez to this lineup would be freaking amazing. I’d hate to face them in the playoffs.
Kelly and Suarez then targeting Finnley would be amazing. Cubs are getting Steele back and Horton should have the reigns lossened year 2. Assad for long man and Rea has a opt year and you pull it for what he did
Cubs can afford to sell off and have enough talent to keep trucking
Shaw will be fine. You’re right but having 35 homerun production at 3B over 2 homeruns is definitely a need as a pure rental situation. Cubs have a slew of talent in their farm where they don’t need to trade their 2 best assets for rentals.
Don’t know if this would get the job done but Kevin Alcantara, James Triantos, 2 pitchers. Should net the Cubs Suarez and 1 of Kelly or Gallen.
That 35 HR production is already in the books….His HR high is 49 and it’s highly doubtful that he tops that whether he stays or gets traded…..so, you’re going to pay a ridiculously high price for production that he had with his former team…….as a rental…..do you really see the Cubs in the WS?…..not with those pitchers both starters and relievers…..but who knows…..
I see the Cubs needing a legit set up. Hodge has been injured and would be a great 1 for 1 with Finnegan. Nats need control and Hodge was closing last year late season.
They need to upgrade 3B. Shaw is a work in progress and I can see him taking over as the main UI as he came up as a SS and played mostly 2B in A ball. Cubs have 2 trash players soaking that role and offing them is addition by subtraction
Finnegan would setup for palencia?
Finnegan interesting in that Cubs have a better confident young closer…..and often if you try to convert a closer to setup they get worse. That said, wouldn’t trust Pressly or Keller if I were them to get tough LAD/Philly/Mets or Milw guys out in a close playoff game.
Nah Cubbies take Hayes please and thanks.
They really need defense THAT bad?
Shoot idc I just want Hayes gone lol.
Like Jeimer Candelario, Hayes would be a good get for a team that doesn’t mind a complete lack of production from their 3B.
Much, MUCH more than Jeimer though. Plays elite defense. Maybe the best in the MLB. IF you could get even 85 OPS+ out of him you got a 4+WAR guy. Just seems like that back issue has really done him in.
Trading him is an absolute no brainer for the D Backs. They aren’t winning the division, they’re 4.5 games back from a wild card slot, he’s the #1 hot commodity in the trade market, 34 years old, and in a contract year.
If I were a D Backs fan, I would be begging them to sell high on him now, add some quality prospects to the farm, and not have to worry about overpaying a 34 year old who is having the best year of his career and will likely never reproduce it again.
Your best bet as a smaller market team in the brutally competitive NL West is to stack prospects and wait out the Ohtani/Betts/Smith/Freeman era.
Cat
I am a Dbacks fan and despite what you’ve written, this is NOT a “no brainer” that the Dbacks will/should trade Suarez.
First, they are not yet declared sellers at the trade deadline.
Second, Dbacks front office don’t think like you fans who are salivating at the chance to get Suarez for a bag of peanuts.
Third, Suarez is carrying the Dbacks right now and has been one of the major contributors to their offensive excellence all year. It would be a huge blow to the offense to trade him right now, and since the Dbacks just swept 3 games from the Cardinals, they haven’t yet decided whether or not to punt this season.
So, yes Suarez would rake in a huge return if traded, but the Dbacks are not at the “no brainer” point yet. Give Hazen another week.
I would have to agree. They have a shot at the wildcard slot, but its gonna be a big stretch. As a Reds fan I would love to have him back in town but we are pretty solid at 3B and SS so that is really unlikely. Heck, I would like seeing him in Chicago just so I can see him play more often. My heart says keep him in AZ.. If its working, don’t mess with it.
@scottaz That’s very optimistic of you, but I’m less confident.
And I’m not saying they should trade him for a bag of peanuts I’m saying they should trade him for multiple top 100 prospects with the hopes of developing into serious contenders over the next decade.
Suffer
You’re the herpetologist, not me, but isn’t Jordan Lawlar ending up at 3B or 2B?
Perdomo had SS locked up.
Ketel could shift to DH but seems likely to stay at 2B.
So, Lawlar goes to 3B in 2026?
Also, Geno or Naylor could traded and re-signed later.
Ketel has been pretty great defensively at 2B. It’s been a problem all year really since they knew Lawlar would be ready this season, but he wasn’t very impressive with the glove or the bat. He made a few amazing plays but he’s been a bit lackluster.
But yes that would probably be the plan. Ketel at 2B, Domo at SS, Lawlar at 3B. I think they really want to avoid the next Dansby situation of trading away their top prospect for a good-great pitcher and then he underwhelms (talking of Shelby Miller)
They are in a tough situation though. Suarez isn’t getting younger, there’s no telling how much longer he could do this mashing. The bullpen has been decimated and losing Burnes doesn’t help. If they were to even soft buy, they are still 4.5 games out. It would take a miraculous come back.
How about everyone is interested in everyone at this point. That sums it up!
Arizona will clean up at the deadline with Suarez.
Assad and a Class A prospect for Suarez.
Shaw or Caissie or ballesteres will be the headliner. Steep price to pay !
If Shaw or Caissie headline a deal for a 34 year old having a career year, there’d better be someone else coming back in that deal like Gallen or Miller.
I don’t know why but I think Suárez goes to Philly, I think Bohm comes to Chicago along with Kelly, the Cubs will send a reliever to Philly, Brown to Arizona along with a prospect and the Phillies will fill in the rest of the prospect capital
Phillies offense hasn’t been that good and could use a big bat like Saurez more than the Cubs who have plenty of pop but need more offense at third, a guy who can hit further down, get on base and hit lefties well, all things Bohm is capable of doing. Phillies bullpen is bad, need help on the back end and middle relief. The Cubs want to add a set up man, which will require them to move one of their relievers that do not have options.
The Diamondbacks are not out of it yet but need pitching. Cubs could give them Brown and Assad or Taillon and cash who can help now as well as in the future.
I think you’re thinking too much, Drasco–and certainly thinking more than Hoyer is capable of thinking.
There’s going to be a line of suitors for Arizona’s rental players if they decide to sell. Cubbies have a lot of competition if they go after Suarez or any of their players for that matter.
I could change my mind with a 7-game winning streak, but this is a golden trading opportunity for AZ. A smallish chance at making the playoffs followed by another smallish risk of playoff success.
OTOH, AZ could score maybe 4 top-150 prospects. Easy choice imo.
Right ! Roll him into Shaw. Dude is gonna be a stud and would be a fixture in that lineup for years. How could you not if you are Arizona ??
Cubs should do this it will put them in the World Series
I doubt the Diamondbacks are going to trade Suarez. Beeks and Grichuk would be better and more realistic adds from that team, and would cost a lot less in prospect capital. Not interested in Finnegan.
With all that has been posted, doubt very seriously the Cubs even with Suarez makes it to the WS with the pitching staff they currently have….both relievers and starters……
As is it is a tough call. Depends on the match up. Lefties tend to shut them down. Right handed starter they feast on.
So a team with 2 lefties as it would be troublesome. If they are RH dominate then that team would be in trouble.
Simple thing really. Most of the scrubs would be riding pine or off of the roster and it would be all hands in for the ones that have given value.
They do have a solid amount of space to get some pitching help but they do need to be aggressive. I really don’t think they should trade Shaw or Caissie for a few months of a 34 year old 3B but if Kelly or Gallen were coming back?
Vargas for Cassie?
Caissie is a top 100 corner OF with a cannon, OBA skills and finally getting into his power.
He could end up a .900 OPS hitter every year.
So Jed would have to get something strong in return to even go there
I say it 85-15 right now they trade him, it will be a package deal to one of 8 teams willing to pay a price. It will be either Suarez/ Kelly/ top 50 prospect it will cost a team at least two top 10 prospects, and a top 50 in return, no one is willing you move on. It comes down to how bad do one of those eight teams want Suarez/Kelly as rentals.
MLB RBI leader & NL HR leader in his 34yo season in a walk year. Snakes hit the trade value maximization jackpot. The question isn’t if the mediocre, injury-riddled 2025 Snakes team will trade Suarez, it is how massive will the trade return be for the 2026 retool.
Don’t think the Cubs and Dbacks line up well for any trades. AZ really only trading position players and Cubs already have very good offense.
Cubs and Dbacks both want pitching, so probably not trading pitchers to one another. They just don’t line up well for a trade from either team’s perspective.
I’d also like to see them pick up a real 5th OF who can play CF in case PCA gets injured, and launch Vidal Brutal into the sun.
Jonathan Long as part of a Finnegan trade would make sense for both teams, but the Nats may have to give back a high-A player as well in that scenario. Long is excellent at AAA but so was Matt Mervis.
PCA is getting tonight off while Suzuki gets the start in CF. Hope PCA is okay.
He jammed his finger sliding head first on Sunday, but stayed in the game. I was listening to the radio feed so I didn’t see the play.
It was his knee in a run down. Chocett blocked 3B and caused him to slide awkwardly.
Should have been called interference
Mr. Ricketts and Mr. Hoyer, make it happen. Big upgrade at 3rd and quality pitching depth. Paul Skenes would be nice addition also.
Nothing would make me happier than Suárez getting traded to the Crew for a package only they can deliver. AZ wants young, controllable arms. We got ’em ripe for the picking. We only need to pursue one player. I’m pretty sure the Brewers will be right there at the end for Suarez. But don’t worry Cubbies, you’ll already be looking up to us in the division right before Suarez puts on a Brew Crew jersey. See y’all next week when you invade North. We understand up here. I wouldn’t want to be in in Illinois more than I have to either.
Moncada fit well 3rd base for the Yankees
On 670 the score today, they said brewers one of three teams that have won 10 in a row so why not cubs turn. No way because of cubs current pitching makeup.
It is very sad however that cubs offensively have bunch of players having career years as compared to the brewers no name position players however the crew will finish ahead of cubs because of their depth and pitching.
@Bruce: And because the Brewers’ no-names are better–in fact, really good–in clutch situations. There IS such a thing, whatever the analytics extremists say. It isn’t a magical ability; it is an approach to hitting that can be taught and learned and put into practice. Teams that do can have long winning streaks. It is very telling that the Cubs’longest was 5, and that was in March-April.
They need to get Suarez to be what Tucker was supposed to be, but hasn’t been: a difference-maker for the lineup.
I had to chuckle sadly tonight when Sciambi commented that Tucker had been in an “uncharacteristic” slump the last 20 games or so. He was also in an uncharacteristic slump for about 6 weeks in May-June. When are we going to face the facts: hitting rollover grounders and lazy flies and striking out is not uncharacteristic. That’s the hitter he is. The hype was all wrong.
I can see why he can’t hit, btw: It’s hard to make a good swing with your nose that far up in the air.