Cubs Get Brutal News on Top Target Amid Quiet Offensive Showing Early
Entering the season, the Chicago Cubs needed another offensive piece. During the first few games of the season, the Cubs’ offense wasn’t terrible, but it hasn’t been great, which isn’t much of a surprise. It’s early, but trusting Jed Hoyer to put together an above-average team offensively is always a question mark.
The Cubs already ranked 23rd in batting average, 19th in OBP, and 20th in SLG. Needless to say, the Cubs need offensive help, and they need it now. However, they might have to wait until the offseason to make a big splash when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. becomes available. The Cubs have been rumored to be one of the teams interested in acquiring Guerrero if the Toronto Blue Jays let him walk.
However, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, it sounds like the Blue Jays are working on an extension to keep Guerrero around. “The Toronto Blue Jays continue to inch closer to signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension, likely a 14- or 15-year deal worth about $500 million, which will be crucial for Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro’s popularity in Toronto.
The Blue Jays’ last postseason victory was in 2016, and this is the final year of Shapiro’s contract,” Nightengale wrote. The Cubs’ first focus, no matter what happens with Guerrero, should be keeping Kyle Tucker around. If the Cubs still have money, which they will, but might try to say that they don’t, the focus should be on adding another offensive piece next winter. If Guerrero becomes available in the winter, or a team could trade for him in the summer, it’s something Chicago should explore.
