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The Chicago Cubs are looking to capture the National League Central for the first time since the COVID-19 impacted 2020 season, but the Milwaukee Brewers caught up to them over the weekend. Per reports from The Athletic, the Cubs are keeping tabs on Arizona Diamondbacks power-hitting third baseman Eugenio Suárez.
Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images
Suárez is setting up to be the premier power bat available at the deadline — if the Diamondbacks make him available, that is. The Diamondbacks entered Monday’s game against the Houston Astros coming off a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the desert over the weekend and 4 1/2 games back of the final wild card spot in the National League.
If the Diamondbacks falter over the next two weeks, they could end up moving Suárez at the trade deadline, and the Cubs should be in the mix for his services. Suárez has hit 35 home runs entering Monday, and if he were traded would be the first player to be traded after hitting 35 home runs in MLB history.
The Cubs are looking for an upgrade over Matt Shaw at third base, who is hitting .210 on the season with three home runs. Shaw is a rookie and could be the future of the position for the Cubs down the road. The Cubs would be well served in adding a veteran hitter like Suárez for the stretch run.
The next week is crucial for the Diamondbacks, and one slip-up could shift the franchise’s focus to trading the All-Star third baseman. The Cubs should be calling on him leading up to the deadline to strike a deal for the slugger before the July 31 deadline.
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