Cubs Are Expected to Sign a $60 Million Deal with Gold Glove Slugger

With just 17 home runs and 54 RBIs with a 240 batting average last season, third baseman Matt Chapman was a letdown for the Blue Jays. He did win another Gold Glove in the field, and his defense has not faltered at all. However, Chapman has underperformed off the field this winter as well. March is quickly approaching, and he is still in free agency. Think of that as a Chicago Cubs opportunity.

Currently, Christopher Morel, a 24-year-old utility player who spent the majority of the previous season as a designated hitter, is being pushed by the Cubs to play third base. Morel’s bat will undoubtedly make its way into the Cubs lineup, but expecting him to play third base for the entire season is a significant ask.

The Cubs require a capable individual to fill the post. Chapman meets all requirements.

According to baseball insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Cubs are one of four teams in MLB that have the option to sign Chapman. In a video conversation, Heyman stated, “I think even the Cubs.” They are currently focusing on Morel over there. Without a doubt, if they sign Chapman and pair him with Dansby Swanson, their left side of the infield is excellent.

Matt Chapman is a Perfect Fit for the Cubs 

Like many of Scott Boras’s clients, Chapman has been disappointed not to receive the lucrative new deal they had anticipated with the start of free agency. According to Heyman, Chapman was actually looking for a $150 million deal. That never happened.

In the same way that another Boras free agent, Cubs slugger Cody Bellinger, was worn down in recent weeks and ultimately consented to a team-friendly three-year, $80 million contract with two opt-outs, perhaps Chapman is prepared to give up and find a team, even on a relative steal.

Bleacher Report is projecting that Chapman will ultimately sign a deal that is similar to Bellinger’s—three years, $60 million, with two options.

Naturally, this is the worst-case situation, as Zachary D. Rymer of B/R stated this week. “It makes more sense to anticipate that Boras will attempt to negotiate a smaller multi-year contract with a solid guarantee and plenty of opt-outs for Chapman, just as he did for Bellinger.”

Best Prospect Getting Ready for a 3B Position

There are two things that would determine the Cubs’ willingness to pursue such a transaction.

First, do they really believe Morel can stay steady at third base? The franchise intends for prospect Matt Shaw to be the answer at third base in the long run, so hopefully he won’t have to do it for more than a year or so. It all depends on how long Shaw takes to prepare for the Major Leagues.

Although Morel is not a third baseman, the organization hopes he can pick up the skills.

According to MLB.com, manager Craig Counsell stated, “To say he can play a lot of positions, yes.” The bat has to be in there because we have to play them at a particular level, right? Without a doubt, playing several roles is more difficult. We’ve asked Chris to move about with the players around him at this point. Thus, I believe my plan for the first few days of camp is to sort of concentrate mostly on third base.

Another aspect to consider is the team’s level of commitment to making the playoffs in 2024 following their close miss in 2023. The addition of Chapman’s glove advances the team much more if winning is the real objective.