MLB Rumors: One NL Team Could Add TWO Of The Star Shortstops


After the Trea Turner signing in Philadelphia on Monday, there are now just three big-name All-Star shortstops available on the free agent market. But according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Chicago Cubs could be looking to sign TWO of them.

Feinsand says, according to a source, "there is a scenario in which Chicago could sign two of the three remaining star shortstops, likely Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson."

And yet, right on the heels of that rumor, comes word that Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and manager David Ross visited with Carlos Correa, the third of the remaining free agent group. 

The Cubs are seemingly throwing all their money at the 'shortstop wall' and seeing what sticks.  

Apparently, their pursuit escalated after the Turner deal, whom the Cubs also submitted an offer to. They've already met with both Bogaerts and Swanson, reports Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic

Their connection with Bogaerts is an interesting one, as manager David Ross was teammates with him on the 2013 Boston Red Sox World Series champions. In addition, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was a Red Sox employee when Bogaerts originally signed with Boston in 2009.

Feinsand notes that signing both Bogaerts and Swanson would likely hinge upon convincing Bogaerts to move to third base.

“There are certain baseball truisms that I think are true, and being strong up the middle really helps,” Hoyer said. “Especially with the new rules (banning of the shift), it’s really important to have a really good defense up the middle. A middle-of-the-infield player, you can’t hide him in the shift anymore, so I think that’s going to expose those guys even more. It makes athleticism and defense in the middle of the infield that much more important. It’s something we’re talking about a lot.”

Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports