3 Cubs trades to find a first baseman for the 2023 season

3) Cubs trade for a first baseman: Dominic Smith and Darin Ruf from the Mets

A Dominic Smith and Darin Ruf package is the most unappealing option out there for the Cubs on this list. It’s also probably the most affordable. The pair of New York Mets first basemen are candidates to be non-tendered and designated for assignment. For practically nothing, the Cubs can swing a deal for them both.

Why would Chicago even consider this? Smith has shown some positive signs in the past. In 2020, he took off with the Mets while sharing first base duties with Pete Alonso. He slashed .316/.377/.616 in his 199 trips to the plate in the shortened season. Unfortunately, he regressed the following year back to his below-average ways.

Ruf had a much different experience during his time with the Mets. Acquired at last year’s trade deadline, he was partnered with Daniel Vogelbach as the team’s DH down the stretch. Ruf went from hitting .216/.328/.373 with the San Francisco Giants to a putrid .152/.216/.197 with the Mets.

As an added bonus of disgust: neither player hit a single home run for the Mets in 2022. Smith had 152 plate appearances. Ruf had 74.

There’s always a chance at a rebound. Smith plays next year at 28. Ruf will do so at 36. To clear the roster space, the Mets would hand the pair to the Cubs. This would probably only be a last resort-type of move for the Cubs to make. Smith does still have minor league options, so at least there’s that.

A Smith/Ruf platoon at first base would probably cause too much chaos for Cubs fans. As depth pieces, maybe they work. As starters, the Cubs would need to do a lot more.

A better move might actually be to convince the Mets to send Vogelbach to Chicago. Amazingly, he looks like he will have the best season of all three in 2023. Better yet, have Steve Cohen pay Ruf’s full salary for 2023 and chip in on Smith.