Chicago Cubs are eyeing a free agent target from division rival
The Chicago Cubs seem to be in a weird spot as an organization. All moves this offseason seem to suggest they are about to enter a full rebuild, but the team has been very reluctant to call it that.
However, with no fans in the stand in 2020 to bring in revenue, ownership is still going to want to try to put a somewhat competent product o the field. Even being away from the ballpark for a year might not be enough to drive fans to Wrigley if the team is an abomination.
To that end, according to a recent report from baseball insider Jon Morosi, the Cubs are one of the teams that are very interested in pursuing free agent seond-baseman Kolten Wong.
The former St. Louis Cardinals defensive stud, who has won back to back Gold Gloves at second base, would be crossing enemy lines to come to the North Side.
The Chicago Cubs eyeing free agent Kolten Wong.
At the moment, the Cubs are likely projected to start Nico Hoerner at second base, so their interest in Wong could be interpreted as a signal that the team isn’t ready to turn the keys over to Hoerner full time just yet. After all, Hoerner has only 186 career at-bats. Last year, in 108 at-bats in a shortened season, he batted .222 with 24 hits, and 13 runs batted in while striking out 24 times and walking only 12.
Wong is a career .265 hitter, with a .333 OBP, .384 SLG, .717 OPS and a 94 OPS+. Defensively, Wong is fantastic, and would be a steady addition to the roster. He would be a great bridge/platoon guy at second base while allowing Hoerner to grow into that role.
In many ways he’s exactly the kind of free agent the Cubs are likely to target. He’s a solid player who won’t cost a ton, but will bring solid fundamentals and a good presence to the team.
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There are other teams interested in Wong, as the report suggests, including the aforementioned Cardinals, the Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies. The Cubs will have some competition for his services, but overall it would be a decent addition for a team looking to field a competitive team in 2021.