As this year’s trade deadline approaches, the Chicago Cubs are looking to make some upgrades to their struggling offense.
Over the past few years, the Cubs have been linked to power-hitting first basemen, most notably Pete Alonso, at the trade deadline.
With the New York Mets all but eliminated from contention this season, multiple general managers said they expect the Mets to trade their star first baseman. Alonso is set to become a free agent in the offseason and reportedly declined a seven-year, $158M extension offer from the Mets last summer.
Considering the Mets would only receive a fourth-round draft choice if they tagged Alonso with a qualifying offer, they could choose to trade him now and get as much value as they can.
In a recent article, MLB insider Jon Heyman said “the Cubs are the obvious potential suitor” for the 29-year-old first baseman. Entering Sunday, Alonso is batting .243/.320/.481 with a .801 OPS and 31 RBI. His 14 homers are tied fifth most in the National League.
Chicago has also reportedly expressed interest in Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the All-Star first baseman of the Toronto Blue Jays. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs “have privately discussed the possibility of trying to acquire Guerrero at the trade deadline.”
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said earlier this week that trading Guerrero “doesn’t make any sense.” But rival executives believe that if Toronto doesn’t turn it around, they will be open to moving the three-time All-Star.
Unlike Alonso who would be a half-season rental, Guerrero is slated for free agency following the 2025 season. The 25-year-old got off to a slow start but has since turned it around.
The son of former Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero is batting .294/.387/.429 with a .815 OPS, and seven homers in 245 at-bats. He is a career 131 OPS+ hitter who can hit 25 to 30 home runs per year and would be a welcome addition to a power lacking Cubs lineup.
Chicago’s offense has been below average all season and is in the middle of the pack in scoring. The Cubs trail the Milwaukee Brewers by seven games in the NL Central and sit one game back for the NL wild-card.
While trading for either Alonso or Guerrero would cost the Cubs some serious talent, trading for either of the power-hitting first basemen would give Chicago the run production they need to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2020.
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