The Chicago Cubs finally made a free agent splash when they signed Alex Bregman.
They've got a chance to make one more move, too.
The Cubs could still sign left-handed starting pitcher Framber Valdez, whose 3.36 ERA in his career with the Houston Astros makes him the best starter still on the market.
Chicago has something else working in its favor, too: Defense.
MLB.com's Travis Sawchik wrote that the reason Valdez should view the Cubs as the best fit for him is because their defense works best with his ground-ball tendencies.
"Valdez is an extreme ground-ball pitcher. His 62% ground-ball mark since 2021 ranks fourth among qualified arms," Sawchik writes. "He leads baseball in double plays generated since 2021. To get the most out of Valdez, a team must field a strong infield defense."
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The Cubs definitely have that.
"The Cubs have the top infield defense among the main Valdez suitors due to the elite gloves of Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, Matt Shaw and now Alex Bregman added to the mix," Sawchik writes. "By Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average last season, the Cubs hold a significant edge in maximizing Valdez’s unique ability to induce ground balls. The Cubs' infield defense combined for +11 OAA last season (12th in MLB), and a +66 DRS mark (2nd in MLB). The next-ranking club among the Valdez contenders in OAA was the Mets (-3 OAA), while the Giants follow in DRS with +39."
The Cubs won't be playing all four of those names mentioned above, because it'll likely be Michael Busch at first base in most arrangements.
Still, though, they've got good choices, unless a trade comes.
Either way, the infield will still be strong. If Valdez wants his grounders to turn into outs, the Cubs are the team to join.
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