The Chicago Cubs could be in line for a major infield upgrade this offseason with veteran all-star potentially available. With Kyle Tucker likely leaving in free agency, the Cubs are looking to fill the void, and acquiring Arenado could be a low-risk, high-reward move.
Even in his mid-30s, Arenado remains an elite third baseman defensively. Pairing him with Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Michael Busch would give Chicago one of the strongest infields in MLB. While Arenado’s power at the plate has declined, there’s a chance the Cubs could help him regain some offensive production.
The St. Louis Cardinals, currently in full rebuild mode, appear ready to move Arenado. They’ve already traded Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox and may be willing to cover a significant portion of Arenado’s $31 million salary over the next two seasons to make a deal work.
FanSided’s Christopher Kline noted that despite the contract, Arenado “fits the Chicago Cubs’ M.O. rather perfectly,” making him a logical target for the team as they look to bolster their roster for the future.