The Chicago Cubs had a shocking trade deadline that fans are upset about.
They didn’t acquire a frontline starting pitcher with club control. Instead, they acquired Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals and some bullpen help.
Executives had a tough time trying to acquire pitchers of this caliber, and ultimately none of these guys were traded.
However, not trading for two-time All-Star Eugenio Suárez may be president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer’s biggest regret, according to FanSided’s Christopher Kline.
“This applies to several contenders, but Eugenio Suárez was a dream target for the Cubs,” wrote Kline. “It’s not hard to understand why this didn’t happen — Jed Hoyer is practical to a fault and Suárez, like Kyle Tucker, hits free agency in a few months — but Chicago should be throwing caution to the wind. Suárez has been one of the best hitters in the National League this season, posting a .248 average with an .895 OPS and 36 home runs.”
Sure, Suárez wouldn’t be back next year. But adding Suárez would have relieved some pressure off of rookie Matt Shaw, who had a rough start to the season.
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Though Shaw has picked it up in the second half, Suárez would have been a massive boost to this lineup.
“The biggest weak point in Chicago’s lineup all season has been third base. Former top prospect Matt Shaw has found his groove in recent weeks, but he’s sitting at a .644 OPS with six home runs in 246 at-bats,” Kline wrote. “Willi Castro should help at the hot corner, but replacing a below-average bat with one of the very best power swings in MLB would’ve put the Cubs much closer to that elusive World Series.”
The Cubs watched other National League powerhouses get better, and while the Cubs improved, it’s hard to imagine they have a better chance than the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies or New York Mets in their quest to the World Series.
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