Cubs rumors: 3 final free agents Jed Hoyer must sign
By Tim Boyle
2) Cubs rumors: Eric Hosmer is the Trey Mancini back-up plan
Even at 33-years-old, Eric Hosmer is a much better free agent than teams are giving him credit for. He batted .268/.334/.382 last season with the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox. Boston had a chance to employ him at a fraction of his salary with the Padres still paying most of it. They preferred to go in a different direction.
Hosmer’s abilities are definitely trending downward. Although never a big power hitter, he has lost a step or five in this area. His defense has gotten worse over the years. From almost the moment he joined the Padres, it seemed like a mistake. His best days were left in the rearview with the Kansas City Royals.
The Cubs shouldn’t look at Hosmer as anything more than a one-year stop gap at the position. Patrick Wisdom and Matt Mervis are two players they could start at first base instead if they pass on him and Mancini. On an affordable deal, the Cubs should be able to land a guy they could even flip at the trade deadline. Can Hoyer get approval to make free agent signings like this? They’ve stayed away from the one-year rentals this offseason when last winter they loaded up on them.
The Cubs might waste another year of Marcus Stroman and the first seasons of Swanson and Taillon if they forego signing a first baseman. They don’t have to go big or long with the one they do add. They should do something.