From Suárez to Moncada: Cubs link to hot corner upgrades

Mark Rebilas - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 14 hours ago

By now, everyone is probably tired of hearing about the names the Cubs are connected to at the deadline. At this point, unless the Cubs make a move, these headlines are only rumors, which tend to happen this time of year. Even then, the expectation league-wide is that the Cubs will not only make some moves, but could also be very active on the trade front for several positions.

One of those positions that didn't seem necessary at the beginning of the season, but has become a need now, is third base, as the combination of Jon Berti, Vidal Brujan, and Matt Shaw isn't cutting it. Sure, Shaw has played Gold Glove defense at the hot corner, which has saved him some extra time in the Majors, but if that bat doesn't come around soon, he will find himself back in Iowa trying to figure things out.

When it comes to potential third base targets, Eugenio Suarez is the biggest fish on the market and someone the Cubs are going to make a massive run at. Obviously, the Diamondbacks and their play coming out of the break will determine whether or not he goes anywhere, but the Cubs know they need to upgrade at that position one way or another.

One way the Cubs could fill the void at the hot corner would be to look back in the minors, as Jonathon Long continues to mash the baseball at AAA. However, given the struggles Shaw has had this season, the Cubs may not want to go down that road again and risk another highly rated prospect struggling out of the gates.

Knowing that, what other third base targets could be options for the Cubs if Suarez is not available? Willi Castro and Maikel Garcia were mentioned the other day, as both would be instant upgrades for the Cubs at the hot corner. Another name that may not be the upgrade people think it would be, but was a target for the Cubs this past offseason, is Yoan Moncada.

The former White Sox prospect has been a polarizing figure since entering the league, only to have injuries ruin his career. That alone is a major reason why the White Sox parted ways with him, as he wound up latching on with the Angels this offseason on a one-year deal worth $5 million. To put that into perspective, the Cubs also pursued Moncada, offering him a one-year, $3 million deal. So, don't be surprised to see them kick the tires on him again come the deadline.

Signed to a one-year deal, the 30-year-old Moncada will be a free agent at the end of the season and is looking to do what he can to earn another contract. When it comes to his overall numbers, while they may not look great on paper, with seven homers, 21 RBIs, and a .231 average, those numbers don't tell the whole story as Moncada is making some of the best contact he has made in years.

Given his age and his performance when healthy, there is no reason to believe that the first-half numbers aren't sustainable, as Moncada has often hit MLB pitching fairly well. As has been the case with Moncada more often than not, health has gotten in the way, and once again, that has been the case this season.

The numbers he has put up have come in just 36 games, as he has once again missed significant time due to injuries. Putting that into perspective, Moncada is on a 30-homer pace, averaging one homer for every five games played, which would be the highest rate of his career. He is also averaging nearly one RBI per game, and if this pace is sustainable for the entire season, you are looking at a player with plenty of production still to give.

Even if his bat is in a better offensive spot than any of the Cubs' current options, he is a defensive liability and has been rated as one of the worst defenders at third base for several seasons. That alone could be a concern, as Berti and Brujan aren't much better, which could create a path for Shaw to remain on this team as a late-game defensive replacement.

Whether you like this decision or not, it's hard to argue with any third base addition at this point, knowing what the Cubs have gotten from that position thus far. As long as they make an upgrade, even if it's a minor upgrade, it's the right move for this organization, as they know they have to address this hole sooner rather than later.