MLB rumors: 3 teams that lost out on Rafael Devers and their likely backup plan

3) MLB rumors: What the Cubs can do at third base next winter instead

One final team that will have to change its plan of adding Rafael Devers, the Chicago Cubs can go many different directions at third base. Chapman and Machado should be their targets. Their third base situation remains a weakness.

Instead of trying to milk the final years of someone like Josh Donaldson or Justin Turner, the Cubs should focus their attention on other needs and free agent targets. Let the Phillies and Giants pay the big bucks. The Cubs should play the long game and focus on their pitching. Free agency won’t offer the Cubs too many top-tier options. Chicago can win sweepstakes for players at other positions and figure out third base later on.

Third base is not a particularly deep position in the majors right now. What the Cubs should do is, instead, focus on getting a lot of offense at first base and the DH spot. In free agency, Josh Bell and Rhys Hoskins would be a pair of options. The Cubs could always, of course, completely change the direction of the organization entirely and become a destination for Shohei Ohtani.

Patrick Wisdom and Christopher Morel sharing time at third base is fine in 2023 and even 2024. As long as the Cubs get more aggressive at a different position, it’s an acceptable approach with Devers staying put in Boston.