Could the Cubs trade for Vlad Guerrero Jr.? MLB Insider Suggests Possibility originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
O Chicago puppies finally snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, but with the North Siders hovering around the .500 mark, could a blockbuster trade trigger a second-half surge?
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengalethe Cubs “privately discussed” the possibility of adding a big bopper to their lineup, with the Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. floated like a target.
Guerrero has seven home runs and 30 RBIs this season, slashing .292/.383/.424 in 250 total at-bats this season. He struggled in the first month of the season with a .229 batting average, but that number rose to .357 in the month of May with a total of 35 hits and 13 runs scored. He also has two home runs in nine games in June, averaging .324 for the month.
The Cubs made a move to acquire Michael Busch during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ offseason, but adding another powerful bat to their lineup would certainly be a prudent move as the team is tied for 19th in MLB with 64 home runs in 66 games.
Busch played second base on Sunday for the first time this season with the Cubs, with Nico Hoerner dealing with a broken bone in his arm and with David Bote struggling to establish himself at the base after his call-up earlier this month.
Adding Guerrero to the mix would give the Cubs a dynamic power threat and potentially offer roster protection for players like Cody Bellinger and Dansby Swanson, both of whom the Cubs need to break up if they want to make the postseason.
One of the possible obstacles to this agreement would come in the form of compensation. Guerrero signed a $19.9 million contract ahead of the 2024 season and although he will remain under team control until the conclusion of next season, according to Spotrac, the Cubs have just $3.3 million would have wiggle room before exceeding MLB’s competitive balance tax threshold, which would trigger financial penalties for next season.
Aside from the money, there’s the simple question of whether the Blue Jays would actually consider trading Guerrero. Although they are 32-33 on the season, they are just two games out of a wild card spot and likely consider keeping Guerrero and Bo Bichette as their only surefire way to be a contender in 2025 as well.
Not only that, but Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins told Robert Murray of FanSided that “it wouldn’t make sense” to trade Guerrero.
If the Blue Jays opt not to sell at the deadline, the Cubs have other powerful options, including New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, but even that deal would remain uncertain as the Mets weigh whether or not to re-sign the baseball pitcher.
