The Cubs are 43-45 and feature a pedestrian offense that hinges on either Kris Bryant or Anthony Rizzo getting on base and praying that someone behind them can push the two across the plate. While the pitching may be the bigger issue, the Cubs currently rank a surprising 9th in ERA at 4.10 on the season, the lack of offensive input on the North-Side is also to blame for the bad 1st half of baseball.
The Cubs lack consistent on-base players on their roster, outside of Bryant Rizzo, none of the Cubs with get on base better than league average. Jon Jay has been great recently, with a 3.86 OBP, but he has less than half the amount of plate appearances of Rizzo and Bryant.
Lowest Team BA with tying/winning run on base#Cubs .216#Royals .229#SFGiants .230#DBacks .238#BlueJays .243https://t.co/9zmvDf4sqN
— Daren Willman (@darenw) July 9, 2017
According to Baseball Savant, the Cubs are also the 2nd worst hitting team in baseball with runners on base, batting .236 in those moments. And they are even worse when those runners are in scoring position, dropping to a .230 average. Simply, outside of Rizzo and Bryant, nobody on the Cubs is consistently getting on base or driving in runners. If the Cubs could add a consistent lead-off hitter, like they had the past two seasons in Dexter Fowler, the offense could possibly get the kick-start it has needed all season.
This is where a guy like 2nd baseman Dee Gordon makes sense.
I've heard from a source that the #Cubs are one of three teams who have contacted the #Marlins about Gordon https://t.co/s7AuAKvthg
— Sean Sears (@sean_sears6) July 10, 2017
According to a source, the Cubs have a serious interest in adding the speedy infielder and inserting him at the top of Joe Maddon’s lineup. The 29-year-old Gordon is sporting an excellent .342 OBP with 53 runs scored in 2017, and would be welcome addition to the Cubs roster.
However, a move like this would also require the Cubs to move one of their middle infielders – position they do not lack depth for. Talking with a former scout, it sounds like the Cubs are seriously considering moving one of Javier Baez or Addison Russell.
I've also heard the #Cubs are considering moving one of their middle infielders, no word on who specifically
— Sean Sears (@sean_sears6) July 10, 2017
The Cubs have also shown interest in Marlins center fielder Christian Yelich, who is also reportedly available for the right price this July, but would require a jaw-dropper of an offer to even start negotiations.
To me, this deal only makes sense if the Cubs are parting with either Russell or Baez, and with Russell’s domestic violence allegations still on-going and Baez trending up recently, this seems like a far-fetched deal. Gordon’s offensive skill-set, while exactly what the Cubs are missing from their lineup, the 2nd baseman does not add much in the power or run-driving department (146 career RBI’s over his seven season).
If Gordon were to falter while with the Cubs his value dissipates almost instantly, and at almost 30-years-old with $37 million still owed on his deal, Gordon’s contract could get ugly. But if the Cubs believe Gordon can be the table-setter they are searching for, trading Russell to the Miami for Gordon and possibly a pitcher isn’t a terrible deal.
If I had to guess, I would say Gordon doesn’t end up on the Cubs, but a source did say that the Cubs asked the Marlins to call them before making a move. Buckle up, everyone.
