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3 moves the Cubs need to make after Dansby Swanson signing

By Scott Rogust

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 09: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves reacts to the crowd during the World Series Ring Ceremony before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Truist Park on April 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 09: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves reacts to the crowd during the World Series Ring Ceremony before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Truist Park on April 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) /
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Danny Jansen, Toronto Blue Jays
TORONTO, ON – JULY 28: Danny Jansen #9 of the Toronto Blue Jays. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

3 moves the Cubs need to make after Dansby Swanson signing

No. 2: Trade for Danny Jansen, C

Besides a first baseman, the Cubs have a need for a catcher. That is because they allowed Willson Contreras to hit free agency after opting against trading him at the deadline earlier this year. They watched him sign a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the rival St. Louis Cardinals.

Realistically, the catching options in free agency are not that great. Even though the likes of Sean Murphy and William Contreras were dealt via the trade market, there is still another option they can explore. That is giving the Toronto Blue Jays a call to see what it would take to acquire Danny Jansen.

The Blue Jays have three quality catchers in Jansen, Alejandro Kirk, and Gabriel Moreno, and are reportedly open to trading one of them this offseason, per MLB Network insider Jon Morosi. Given that Kirk made it to the All-Star Game, it could be harder for the Blue Jays to willingly trade him. Hence why the Cubs should go after Jansen.

In 72 games this past season, Jansen slashed .260/.339/.516 while recording 15 home runs, 44 RBI, and 56 hits. As a catcher, however, Jansen did record seven errors, giving him a fielding percentage of .987 through 63 games (58 starts).

Given the lack of quality catching options in free agency, Jansen could be the best target for the Cubs, especially since he put up good batting numbers this past season.

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