On Wednesday the Chicago Cubs acquired Ronald Torreyes from the New York Yankees. On Thursday the Cubs traded Tommy La Stella to the Los Angeles Angels. Soon after that news broke, CBS Sports’ Bruce Levine revealed that the Cubs are not done.
Cubs looking to add another infielder with versatility to play multiple spots . Free agent list likely place to find one .
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) November 29, 2018
So this is very interesting news, especially since the club has six infielders on their roster and four of them are very versatile.
What is great about this tweet, at least for a hot stove junkie, is how much speculation an idea like this causes. Hell, the past 24 hours, while the moves have been small, have created so much thought for those who like to pick apart the layers that is the Cubs potential 2019 roster. Trading for Torreyes caused fans to speculate about Addison Russell’s future with the club, potential trades on the horizon, and the very real possibility that David Bote wouldn’t make the 25-man roster when they head north.
Then when the Cubs traded La Stella Thursday afternoon, it put Bote back in the fold and made the idea of keeping Russell more of a reality. But then Levine drops a dime saying the Cubs are still looking for versatile infielders, it makes several of us scratch our heads. Then adds that the free agent market is the place? Hmm…
Here are the free agent infielders that are on the market:
First basemen
Matt Adams (30, 0.8)
Mark Reynolds (35, 0.1)
Lucas Duda (32, 0.0)
Adam Rosales (36, -0.1)
Hanley Ramirez (35, -0.2)
Logan Morrison (31, -0.7)
Second basemen
Jed Lowrie (35 years old, 4.9 WAR)
Asdrubal Cabrera (33, 2.7)
Ian Kinsler (37, 2.3)
DJ LeMahieu (30, 2.0)
Daniel Descalso (32, 1.6)
Brian Dozier (32, 0.8)
Daniel Murphy (34, 0.8)
Josh Harrison (31, 0.3)
Andrew Romine (33, 0.1)
Neil Walker (33, 0.1)
Sean Rodriguez (34, 0.0)
Gordon Beckham (32, -0.1)
Logan Forsythe (32, -0.2)
Brandon Phillips (38, -0.3)
Third basemen
Mike Moustakas (30, 2.4)
Chase Headley (35, -0.4)
Ryan Flaherty (32, -0.4)
Danny Valencia (34, -0.4)
Jose Reyes (36, -0.9)
Luis Valbuena (33, -0.9)
Shortstops
Manny Machado (26 years old, 6.2 WAR)
Jose Iglesias (29, 2.5)
Freddy Galvis (29, 1.2)
Jordy Mercer (32, 1.0)
Adeiny Hechavarria (30, 0.4)
Alcides Escobar (32, -0.3)
Eric Sogard (33, -0.8)
Of this group, there are very few that might be affordable as a versatile, back-up-like option. They wouldn’t look at a corner infielder. Then you can subtract the top-level guys too. Then you are looking at second baseman and shortstops which have spent time at other infield spots.
Possibilities
Eric Sogard
Jose Reyes
Gordon Beckham
Sean Rodriguez
Neil Walker
Andrew Romine
Josh Harrison
Brian Descalso
Asdrúbal Cabrera
The first alarming thing I see is how many Pittsburgh Pirates, or potentially former Pirates there are on this list. A player like Harrison, or even Walker would be attractive. But they are likely looking for more than what the Cubs are looking to spend, and when Levine says versatile, I feel he means a utility back-up like guy.
I’m also not sure if they are specifically looking for older players, but Reyes is available and has a lot of experience on several good ballclubs. He also has been mixed up in potential domestic violece issues as well, making it difficult to see happening.
Personally, the most intriguing name O see is Descalso. Here is a guy that has played all four infield positions and each corner outfield spot. He did strikeout quite a bit in 2018, but he offers a solid bat while playing several positions.
Looking at a mostly uninspiring list, it makes me think that if the Cubs are indeed looking, it’s closer to guys like Jed Lowrie or potential starters if it is on the free agent market. Otherwise they are possibly scrubbing players from other teams for trade. Apparently the price for versatile backup infielders is a player to be named and cash. The Cubs have a lot of both of those.
I feel that a lot of this hinges on what happens with Russell. Do they tender him on Friday (yes), and donthey find a future home for him (outlook cloudy).
