The Chicago Cubs could sign the former Heat Rival MVP in MLB Free Agency

The Chicago Cubs are preparing for an offseason in which they may have to make big changes to get back into contention after four consecutive missed postseasons.

Both as property and Jed Hoyer we know well, the product they’ve put out for the better part of the last decade just hasn’t been good enough. Hoyer can comment all he wants about the fact that the team needs to get better production based on what’s already in the clubhouse – and he’s not wrong – but as two World Series teams have shown, the best clubs in baseball spend and earn stars whenever you can.

No one is telling Chicago they have to go out and sign Juan Soto for $700 million – although it’s nice to dream – but Hoyer can’t be afraid to spend some cash to bring in better ball players and improve his position in the carot. One potential area where the team could improve is first base, and they could do so at the cost of a devastating blow to their most hated rival. Erik Beston of Bleacher Report mentioned the Cubs as a team to watch Cardinals of St. Ludwik legendary first baseman and 2022 National League MVP Paweł Goldschmidt.

“One such team is the rival Chicago Cubs, who will be looking to improve their play at first base, while Michael Busch had similar stats but lacked the veteran leadership and experience Goldschmidt would bring to the organization,” Beaston wrote.

Goldschmidt may not be exactly the same player he was at 37 years old numbers that has started to decline over the last two seasons, but even in a worst-case scenario on a shorter deal, he’s still extremely solid and has a ceiling infinitely higher than Busch’s. It doesn’t hurt that just two years ago, when Goldschmidt was 35, it was the best season of Goldschmidt’s long, storied career, which is a huge statement for a player who was a seven-time All-Star and finished in the top 10 in MVP votes six times.

Spotrac is currently reviewing Goldschmidt’s market value is just a one-year deal worth $12.3 million, and while he could achieve more, it will almost certainly be a short-term, very low-risk deal. Taking on the image of their most hated rival club while strengthening their own squad should be enough motivation for Chicago to at least make a bid.