Report: Cubs expected to be active in Juan Soto trade sweepstakes originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago Cubs find themselves in an offseason filled with high stakes after falling short of the World Series once again. With their sights set on revamping the team, the Cubs are expected to prioritize pursuing Shohei Ohtani and retaining Cody Bellinger. However, they are also looking at potential opportunities in the trade market.
A recent report by Bruce Levine of 670 The Score suggests that the Cubs will be active in the pursuit of Juan Soto, who may be the most coveted prize available this offseason. Sources indicate that the San Diego Padres might trade Soto, a year before he becomes a free agent, to alleviate their payroll.
Soto, who earned $23 million through arbitration in 2023 and is projected to receive a $10 million raise in 2024, has caught the attention of the Cubs. The Padres, who have increased their spending in recent years, are now looking to scale back their payroll after securing high-value contracts with Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Cubs would likely have to offer a significant prospect package and potentially include big league talent to acquire Soto. Although the Cubs have an impressive farm system, it’s not quite as deep as it was when they made trades for Aroldis Chapman and Jose Quintana. Prospects like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kevin Alcantara, and Alexander Canario could be discussed in potential trade negotiations.
Furthermore, the Padres may be interested in acquiring pitching talent from the Cubs. With a surplus of pitching options, the Cubs could consider including Javier Assad or Jordan Wicks in a deal. Both pitchers have shown promise and could contribute to the Padres’ rotation next season.
Another intriguing trade chip for the Padres could be Christopher Morel, a power hitter who has yet to find a permanent position in the field. While Cubs fans may dream of keeping Bellinger and acquiring Soto, it’s more likely that the Cubs will pursue one or the other.
If the Cubs manage to acquire Soto, they could fill the void left by Bellinger’s departure by employing an outfield configuration consisting of Soto, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki. However, if Bellinger does not return, the Cubs would need to address a potential hole at first base, possibly by trading for Pete Alonso of the New York Mets. However, the Cubs may only have enough depth in their farm system to facilitate one major trade.
Given the opportunity to acquire a generational talent like Soto, the Cubs have a responsibility to be active in the sweepstakes. Their strong farm system and rising team make them well-equipped to pursue this game-changing trade.
