Cubs: Could Cesar Hernandez be a potential fit for the Cubs?
The Philadelphia Phillies recently non-tendered their second basemen Cesar Hernandez on Monday, and now could be a potential fit with the Cubs.
The Philadelphia Phillies moved on from Cesar Hernandez and Maikel Franco on Monday. Hernandez spent the last seven years in a Phillies uniform after signing with them in 2006 as an undrafted amateur free agent at the age of 16. Hernandez is a very intriguing player and is also a switch hitter, could he be a fit for the Chicago Cubs?
Projected to make $11.8 million via arbitration before the Phillies decided to non-tender the 29-year-old second basemen on Monday. Hernandez is coming off a very nice season in 2019, he played in 161 games, had a batting average of .279 which is his highest since 2017, set a career-high in hits with (171) and hit 31 doubles which is also a career-high.
The question that we need ask is if the Cubs are even looking for a second baseman this offseason? The Cubs recently non-tendered Addison Russell, who would play second base, and they could be looking to play David Bote at second base. Another question that we fans need to ask is if Nico Hoerner is ready to be in the majors full time? The Cubs would be wise and very smart to bring in a veteran player like Hernandez and let Hoerner continue his development down in the minors.
Among free-agent second baseman, only Eric Sogard posted up a higher WAR than Hernandez in 2019 (2.5) according to MLB. The Cubs have a lot of options this offseason if they are looking to upgrade the second base position after allowing Russell to walk. I could see them trying to resign Ben Zobrist, or they can just stick Bote at second and hope for the best.
A negative thing about Hernandez is that was a lot less patient at the plate during the 2019 season, after drawing 95 walks in 2018, it dropped down to 45 walks in 2019. If he could get back to being patient at the plate in 2020, He could be a complete steal for this team.
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Even if Theo Epstein and the Cubs are interested in bringing in Hernandez to fill the second base position, they won’t be the only team interested.