Best Chicago Cubs Fits Among Remaining Top Free Agents

The Chicago Cubs swung for Shohei Ohtani and struck out. Perhaps they didn’t offer enough money? Sure looks that way.

But, the Cubs have money to spend and needs to meet. And time is running out, even if it is mid-December.

Earlier this year, The Athletic published its Top 40 free agents. Some have flown off the board, such as Ohtani. But, as of this writing, more than half of the free agents listed are still available.

Here are the five players that would be the best fit for the Cubs among the remaining free agents on the list.

OF Cody Bellinger

Sometimes the decision is really simple — pay the devil that you know. Bellinger is looking for more than $200 million and if he produced as he did in 2023, then he’s worth the money. He can lock down center field, first base or even designated hitter. The 2023 Comeback Player of the Year is in demand. It’s time for the Cubs, if they really want him, to get a deal done.

1B Rhys Hoskins

The Cubs need a first baseman. Bellinger can do it. The Cubs are thinking about giving Christopher Morel reps there (because they need his bat). But, Hoskins is a player that should come relatively cheap because he’s coming off a lost 2023 season due to an ACL tear. But he can hit 30 home runs in a season and he wouldn’t cost more than what the Cubs gave Bellinger in 2023.

3B Matt Chapman

With Jeimer Candelario out the door, the Cubs have to fix a third base issue. They have some internal candidates. But, if they miss on Bellinger, then Chapman could be their big-ticket item. He’s a solid power hitter who has hit at least 25 home runs three times in his career. But, even better, Chapman has one of the best gloves at the position and would give the Cubs a third Gold Glove player in their infield.

C/DH Mitch Garver

The Cubs have Yan Gomes and Miguel Amaya. One is 36 and coming off his best offensive seasons in three years. The other is just north of being a rookie. Garver would give the Cubs security behind the plate and he could fit into the designated hitter rotation, something he got more used to in the second half of 2023. If Bellinger is out and Morel ends up at first base, there is room for Garver to be the DH every day.

UTL Justin Turner

Turner is 38 but he’s in demand, he’s healthy and he’s coming off a 2023 in which he batted .276 with 31 doubles, 23 home runs and 96 RBI. He can fit in at first base, designated hitter and even third base in a pinch. Consider him the fail-safe option if the Cubs can get their first or second choice at first base. They could do far worse than Turner.