Free agents Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, Josh Bell, Kevin Kiermeier and Trey Mancini are among those on the Cubs’ radar as the GM Meetings closed this week.
Consider it the ante process before the opening deal. The chips on the table before the roulette wheel starts spinning on what promises to an active, big-spender offseason — with industrywide revenues back up following pandemic-related suppression, significant increases in the luxury-tax thresholds post-lockout and more teams looking like they’re trying to win in 2023 than MLB has seen in maybe five years or more.
“It really takes one domino to fall to start that process,” he said. “But sometimes it takes a long time for that domino to fall. It’ll be interesting to see when it does.” And at least a rough road map has emerged for how they might approach their middle infield, first base, center field and starting pitching needs, based on conversations with agents and MLB sources during the meetings:that include the Dodgers’ Trea Turner, Twins’ Carlos Correa, Braves’ Dansby Swanson and Red Sox’ Xander Bogaerts.
On the other hand, an agent who has none of the four predicted the Cubs would sign Turner — likely an indication of how serious people in the game believe the Cubs are about landing one of the big-name guys. And how big they believe they'll spend., he’s just one of several players the Cubs have their eye on as they look at possible short-term help at the position while they wait to see if breakout prospect Matt Mervis, a lefty slugger, is the “next Anthony Rizzo” he hopes to become.
There’s also the possibility former MVP and two-time All-Star Cody Bellinger becomes available next week as a non-tender candidate with the Dodgers.Hoyer said this week he expects most of next year’s center field innings to be handled by somebody he’ll add to the roster this winter. But three-time Gold Glove centerfielder Kevin Kiermeier, who had his 2023 option declined by the Rays, and Bellinger are both on the Cubs’ radar, according to sources.
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