Chicago Cubs: 3 free agents to sign, and 1 to avoid
By Mike Luciano
Philadelphia Phillies. Didi Gregorius. player. SS. 2. 6. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Another Yankee castoff, the emergence of DJ LeMahieu and Gio Urshela left Didi as the odd man out in the New York infield. After signing a one-year “prove it” deal with his old manager Joe Girardi in Philadelphia, Gregorius showed that his offensive production was not just a product of playing in Yankee Stadium, as he hit a respectable .284 while clubbing 10 home runs. A return to the Phillies, who look to contend next year, is entirely possible, but the Cubs might be too good to pass up for Didi.
Second base is a complete black hole at the moment, as Jason Kipnis is likely not returning. By moving the versatile Javier Baez over to second and sliding Didi in at short, the Cubs would instantly have one of the best middle infield combinations in baseball.
Top prospect Nico Hoerner might not like this move given the fact that he was on track to assume a starting role in 2021, but the Cubs should look to take back the division crown next year, and Didi’s bat and glove combination far exceeds that of Hoerner at this moment in time. If the Cubs can get Didi on a short contract without an eye-watering amount of money involved, the Dutchman could be the one missing piece that finally kicks this lineup back into hyperdrive.