Chicago Cubs Rumors: What will become of Cubs’ 2018 acquisitions?

Daniel Murphy

The Cubs actually acquired second baseman Daniel Murphy after the trade deadline in a waiver trade deal with the Washington Nationals. Murphy was brought in to help a Cubs offense that was showing troubling signs in late August.

Murphy definitely helped pick up the Cubs offensive numbers, but he stalled towards the end of the season. He ultimately was a solid addition to the Cubs but didn’t step up in big moments like many thought he would.

Now the infielder is an unrestricted free agent. Murphy made over $17 million last year, so it won’t be cheap for the Cubs to retain him.

The second baseman is a solid hitter that can be a defensive liability at times. The Cubs infield is known for their great defense, but shortstop Addison Russell will be suspended for the first 40 games of the 2019 season because of a domestic violence allegation against him.

There’s a chance that Russell won’t be back with the team at all next season. He’s involved in a very controversial case right now, and the club may think it isn’t worth the negative attention to have him back after his suspension is over.

If Russell is done with the Cubs, Murphy becomes a much more needed piece in the infield. Although he is 34, his teammates and the front office seem to love Murphy. Here’s what Epstein had to say about him after the season (Via CBS Sports):

"He did a lot to right our offense right after he got here and contribute while being asked to play a bigger role than we envisioned when we got him because of injuries and because of a lack of performance offensively and because of the schedule…We looked a lot better with him than without him."

The team will have a tough choice to make about Murphy this winter.