Cubs: 3 free agents to sign, 1 to avoid this MLB offseason
By Tim Boyle
2. Cubs should sign Xander Bogaerts if they miss out on Trea Turner
Xander Bogaerts should be the second choice behind Turner. His performance, age, and likely contract demands make him a great fit for the Cubs. Dansby Swanson would also be a good choice and allow the Cubs to spend elsewhere.
We also cannot discuss MLB free agency without bringing up Carlos Correa. Because his demands might be a little too outrageous, Turner and then Bogaerts should be the priority.
Bogaerts is older than Correa yet his track record is far superior. He doesn’t hit for quite as much power. Where he excels is getting on the field. Bogaerts has never played less than 136 games in any given season with a 162-game schedule.
Bogaerts has been good enough to give the Boston Red Sox a .292/.356/.458 slash line and an average of 20 home runs per 162 games. He isn’t nearly as speedy as Turner. His spot in the lineup would probably having him hit somewhere around third.
Already a two-time World Series champion, Bogaerts would bring to Chicago plenty of at-bats in big situations. The same is true for Correa. In terms of contract expectations, Bogaerts would be the better buy.
Turner is certainly preferred given his talents. Signing Bogaerts is far from settling. If Rafael Devers ever makes it to free agency, we could expect Chicago to be in hot pursuit only a year later.