After missing the playoffs each of the past three years, the Chicago Cubs are expected to have a busy offseason, and one MLB insider suggests the Cubbies may even get involved in a Juan Soto trade.
According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, sources close to the situation have indicated the Cubs will pursue a trade for Soto this offseason.
Talks are expected to heat up after the World Series, during the upcoming Nov. 7 winter meetings with all MLB GMs in attendance.
Soto, 25, is a three-time All-Star and would provide an immediate power threat to the middle of the Cubs’ lineup. But they’d also have to work out a long-term extension with the superstar slugger, who’s eligible for arbitration this offseason but becomes a free agent in 2025.
Still, the allure of adding a hitter with a career OPS of .946 has to be intriguing, no matter what the potential cost is.
The Padres, who may be seeking a chance to reduce club payroll, could find value in offloading Soto for another massive trade return, but the Cubs aren’t expected to be the only team with interest in the power-hitting outfielder.
The Cubs were ranked as the fourth-best farm system during the midway point of the regular season by MLB.com, suggesting they have plenty of talented prospects to pull off a blockbuster trade for Soto. Chicago’s prospect pool includes outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who’s still just 21 but ranks as the 12th-best prospect in baseball. In total, the Cubs have six prospects ranked in MLB.com’s top 100 players.
While the Cubs may have plenty of ammo for a potential Soto trade, there will be several opportunities to improve the roster this offseason.