3 Cubs starters who could be replaced by major free agent signing
By Tim Boyle
2) Cubs need more offense from first base than Alfonso Rivas
The Cubs have tried a few things at first base this year. Nobody has played it more than Alfonso Rivas. A young left-handed hitter who failed to show much power at all this year, Chicago should already have their sights elsewhere for next season.
Rivas wouldn’t be such a bad player to have as a bat off the bench although he has yet to prove himself worthy of winning a job already. He would have to compete in the spring for that role.
In free agency, the Cubs would have a few places to go. One that might make the most sense is Josh Bell of the Padres (Nationals before the Soto deal he was included in). A free agent first baseman with age on his side, he can hit for power and average when at his best. He’d be a better choice for them than to try to convince Jose Abreu to switch Chicago teams. Abreu is still productive but he is old enough that the Cubbies might not get much out of him by the time they are ready to storm the World Series.
What’s certain is that they can’t go into the 2023 season with a weak hitter like Rivas at first base. This is a position where you must get offensive production. Unfortunately, he just can’t provide enough of it.