Rumor Mill: Cubs linked to power hitter Eugenio Suárez

John Sokolowski - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 5 hours ago

I know the constant rumor mill has to be annoying for most fans, but that is what this stage of the offseason is for. Until actual signings begin to take place, which typically occurs around Thanksgiving, most of the offseason talk will be spent on rumors and whether specific teams should target particular players.

The Cubs are no different when it comes to the rumor mill, as they have already been linked to several players, even if there isn't a high likelihood that they will sign any of the players linked to them. Today's free agent target is no different, as Eugenio Suarez is a free agent and is once again available for the taking.

Suarez was linked as a possible deadline target for the Cubs this past season, up until the Seattle Mariners swooped in and grabbed him for their second-half playoff push. With Kyle Tucker all but gone this offseason, adding Suarez to the Cubs' lineup would give them the power bat they need, as he would presumably take over the DH role next season.

When you look back at the season that was for Suarez, it was a tale of two halves for the long-time veteran. He played like an MVP candidate during the first half of the season, ranking near the top of the majors in homers while also leading the majors in RBIs. However, he cooled off immensely in the second half with the Mariners.

Suarez did show signs of life during the postseason, but his second-half numbers were a far cry from his first-half numbers, which does lead to some question marks for his next deal. Regardless, Suarez is going to be one of the more sought-after bats this offseason, and adding him to your lineup is going to instantly change the outlook of the lineup, as he always gives you 35-plus homers and around 100 RBIs.

That type of production is what most teams would kill for, so expect his market to be one of the more interesting ones this offseason. On the surface, many would ask why the Cubs would bring in Suarez, especially when you consider they already have a third baseman in Matt Shaw. Adding Suarez doesn't mean he would take over third, but more so would spell Shaw when he needed a break, as he would be more of a DH than anything.

Adding him would also eliminate him from crushing the Cubs anymore, as he has made a living against the Cubs his entire career. In 132 games against the Cubs, Suárez has batted .266/.349/.540 with 36 home runs. That’s by far his most home runs against any MLB team (Pirates are second with 27). The .886 OPS is almost 100 points higher than his career OPS of .792.

The 36 homers across 132 games are a big enough sample size to realize how much damage he has done against this team, but it also highlights just how dangerous a hitter he is when he is in the lineup. As is the case with many of the free agents the Cubs sign, you have to take Wrigley Field into account when signing anyone, as that ballpark has impacted the production of numerous hitters.

Suarez fits into that category as 20 of his 36 homers have come away from Wrigley, while he also holds just a .765 OPS in more than 60 games there. The OPS isn't what you look for in a power hitter, but with 16 homers in 60 games on the Northside, there is no telling what he could do if given a chance to play 81 games there next season.

When you look at this Cubs roster, third base has been an issue for the longest time, as Kris Bryant was the last legitimate power threat from the hot corner. Sure, guys like Patrick Wisdom did fill in nicely from time to time, but he was never seen as a long-term option, and neither would Suarez.

Given how much improvement Shaw has shown since the middle of the season, the Cubs are going to give him every opportunity to continue to grow at the hot corner, even if he doesn't provide the power you like to see at that position. Suarez provides the power you want at the hot corner, but would also allow the Cubs to move him to the DH to maximize that power threat.

Already in his mid-30s, you have to wonder how many 35-40 homer seasons he has left in the tank, but he has yet to show signs of slowing down. Even if he gives you one more great season and then two strong seasons, adding him to this lineup would be a massive boost, as he is expected to land a three-year deal in the range of 70-80 million. That is a steep ask, but not when it comes to his production, as that would be a steal for the Cubs if they can make it happen.