Chicago Cubs Rumors: Two big free agent names now a priority

The 2022 MLB Winter Meetings are officially underway, and one of the top priorities this offseason for the Chicago Cubs is to find help at shortstop.

Over the last few weeks, the Cubs have been in plenty of rumors and reports, linked to multiple names on the shortstop front. A couple of those names include recent Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner and recent Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson.

But, just Sunday evening, two other names which have been tossed around with the Cubs were yet again mentioned. This time, it’s Bob Nightengale of USA Today reporting that the Cubs are going to make Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts their “top priority.”

Nightengale also mentioned recent Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, saying that the Cubs are exploring his market as well. Either one of these talented players would make Cubs fans happy, to say the least.

Xander Bogaerts or Carlos Correa in Chicago Cubs blue? Fans would be thrilled to see such a sight.

Three out of the last four seasons, Bogaerts has been an All Star, and has four total bids since entering the Majors in 2013. Last season for Boston, Bogaerts slashed .307/.377/.456. He added 15 home runs, 38 extra-base hits (all doubles) and 73 RBI.

Offensively, his numbers weren’t as good as his best year by any means, but he was still productive. Back in 2019, Bogaerts hit a career-high 33 home runs and enjoyed another career-best, with 117 RBI.

At just 30 years old, this could be a long-term solution for the Cubs at their shortstop position. Bogaerts has spent his entire career with Boston, and now it looks like he could be finding a new home for the first time as a pro.

Speaking of a future solution, Correa is even younger at 28 years old. His lone season spent in Minnesota, last year, came after he started his career with seven-straight seasons with the Houston Astros.

The 2-time All Star is going to be one of the biggest free agent prizes of the offseason, with plenty of teams vying for his services. Even the Twins have entertained bringing him back, although it appears they could be a long shot at this point.

Correa is a great two-way player who has topped the 20 home run mark six times in his career, and last year slashed .291/.366/.467.