The Chicago Cubs are in serious trouble if they don’t turn things around soon. Every time one struggling area of the team improves, another seems to falter, leading to a slump where they’ve lost seven out of their last 10 games. This has left them four games below .500, 8.5 games behind first place in the NL Central, and 1.5 games out of the Wild Card.
As the trade deadline approaches, it’s uncertain how aggressive the Cubs’ front office, led by Jed Hoyer, will be. Despite the clear need for roster upgrades, there’s speculation that Hoyer might not make significant moves and instead let things play out.
One low-risk option for the Cubs could be signing recently released former AL MVP Jose Abreu. While Abreu’s time with the Houston Astros was disappointing, a team insider suggests this move could provide a power bat without costing assets or capital. However, there’s a strong chance Abreu won’t even perform at a league-average level.
Abreu’s first season with the Astros saw the worst slash line of his career (.237/.296/.383) and an OPS+ below 100 for the first time. His struggles worsened this year, with a slash line of .124/.167/.195, just two home runs, and seven RBIs through 35 games before being released.
Signing Abreu would indicate Chicago’s desperation to find someone who could potentially boost their offense. Due to injuries, the Cubs have already cycled through multiple players without finding a spark. While Abreu would be a low-cost option financially, there’s a significant risk that he might not perform well on the field.
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