The Chicago Cubs have previously been linked to Carlos Correa, but have reported interest in another shortstop as well.
The Chicago Cubs need to improve on their 74-88 campaign last year and make some significant additions this season to get back on track. Lucky for them, there are a number of game-changing free agents available this winter with seismic changes to appear across MLB depending on where players sign.
Already, the Cubs have been connected to another Midwest staple, Carlos Correa. Some would prefer Correa to return to the Minnesota Twins this offseason, but one insider suggested the Cubs are favorites to land him.
But Korea isn’t their top priority, according to new information posted by Bob Nightingale. That would be Xander Bogaertsincluding the Boston Red Sox.
The Chicago Cubs, who have said boldly they plan to build a competitor, and raise their salaries significantly, are making Bogart a top priority. However, they are also scouting the Korea market. The Cubs jumped into the Korea lottery in late February before he signed a three-year, $105.3 million contract. Dollars with the Minnesota Twins, and opted out after the season.”
The Cubs seem ready to add a starting point, just a matter of who it is
The Cubs have now been directly linked to two All-Star shortstops available in free agency. While they could also make attempts at Trea Turner, the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be the favorites there (with the San Diego Padres surprisingly emerging as rivals as well according to Nightengale).
So, if Chicago wanted to add a star short, which they seem intent on doing, it would probably be Corea or Bogarts.
The problem is that according to Nightengale, Bogaerts has “about nine teams,” all vying for his services. Being an older team in a large market, Chicago may have some edge over smaller market teams in the running, but it’s hard to see Chicago making a case given some of the questions about how they go from a weak team to a contender, even if they add a superstar like the Bogarts.
The Red Sox and Cubs have similar fanbases, playing in monumental stadiums with a lot of heritage and history behind the franchises. In that respect, Chicago would feel like home to the Bogarts.
The Winter Meetings have begun, and chaos is sure to ensue. Where Xander ends up is one of the main questions.
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