Chicago Cubs Viewed as Landing Spot for Giants Slugger
Despite re-signing Cody Bellinger, there may still be a need for lineup help for the Chicago Cubs.
As currently constructed, the Cubs could have a better season at the plate than last year, but an argument to be made that the lineup might not be as good as a season ago.
Bellinger returns coming off one of his best seasons, but there is still the matter of losing Jeimer Candelario leaving in free agency. The Cubs' offense will be reliant on others to step up.
One name that could make sense for Chicago is San Francisco Giants corner infielder J.D. Davis.
"That upside could make Davis an attractive target for a team lacking in certainty at the infield corners, such as the Cubs," writes Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors.
His price shouldn't be much in terms of trade value.
Davis, 30 years old, slashed .248/.325/.413 with 18 home runs for the Giants in 2023.
He's hit 18 or more home runs in the two seasons that he's played in over 140 games. Davis is a hitter who can give the Cubs some flexibility in their lineup. As a corner infielder, he can help at first as the Cubs break in young Michael Busch.
The return of Bellinger helps the lineup, but the only other major signing for the Cubs was pitcher Shota Imanaga. Wrap that up in a host of minor-league deals and a couple of minor trades, it has not been the offseason the Cubs were hoping for.
Davis won't change an average offseason to a great one, but he could help.
The Cubs have a chance to compete in the National League Central and once a team gets into the postseason, anything can happen.
Davis can give them productive at-bats and in a small trade right before the season, that's all they can ask for.
