Cubs predicted to trade for $260M NL Central rival, 10-time Gold Glove winner, 8-time All-Star

Hunter Cookston

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Cubs predicted to trade for $260M NL Central rival, 10-time Gold Glove winner, 8-time All-Star image

The Chicago Cubs acquired Kyle Tucker last offseason in a move they were excited about. Adding a player with World Series experience seemed like the perfect step for a team with championship aspirations in 2025. However, it became clear by the end of the season that Tucker wasn’t committed for the long term.

“We'll see what happens. Don't know what the future is going to hold. If not, it's been an honor playing with all these guys and wish everyone best of luck whether it’s playing next year or not with them,” Tucker said.

With the offseason underway, the Cubs could pursue another big-name trade. FanSided’s Christopher Kline believes the team should target St. Louis Cardinals’ third baseman Nolan Arenado.

“This would require the St. Louis Cardinals eating a significant chunk of the $31 million Nolan Arenado is owed over the next two seasons. That said, Arenado fits the Chicago Cubs' M.O. Rather perfectly. He's an exceptional defender at third base, even as he ages into his mid-30s. The defensive quartet of Arenado, Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Michael Busch would give Chicago one of the best infields in MLB,” Kline wrote.

For Arenado, a trade seems likely at some point this offseason.

“The St. Louis Cardinals have spent the better part of the last year trying to unload Nolan Arenado, and they will likely renew those efforts this winter with a focus on getting younger across the roster. The future Hall of Famer is a shell of the player he was in his prime, but he is still a strong defender at third base, and he has adjusted to a more contact-oriented approach as his power has diminished,” Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote.

This trade makes a lot of sense for the Cubs, and the defensive combination could be the best in MLB. Arenado has had a storied career and would likely aim to finish it competing for a World Series.

Coming off a playoff berth last season, the Cubs could use this deal to advance beyond the Wild Card round. A trade for Arenado could instantly make them favorites in the NL Central.

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