The Chicago Cubs are in a need of a third baseman. Aramis Ramirez is a free agent and almost certainly won’t return. Replacing Ramirez’s offense will be difficult but the team must find a defensive upgrade at the hot corner. Ramirez clubbed 26 homers and drove in 93 runs for the 2011 Cubs but he posted a negative defensive WAR for the fourth straight season. Theo Epstein spoke of improving the team’s run prevention in his introductory press conference. Their are no free agent third baseman that fit the bill for the Cubs. The team has some internal third base options in Jeff Baker, Blake DeWitt and youngsters Junior Lake and Josh Vitters. Baker and DeWitt have proven to be useful bench players but it is doubtful the Cubs look at a Baker/DeWitt third base platoon as a viable solution. Vitters and Lake don’t figure to start the year in the big leagues and, though both are excelling in the Arizona Fall League, their minor league records suggest they may not be ready any time soon.
Enter Chase Headley, the third baseman for the San Diego Padres. Headley posted unimpressive offensive numbers last year and is eligible for arbitration this offseason. Jed Hoyer is familiar with Headley from his time in San Diego. At 27 Headley is just entering his prime, but the cost conscious Padres may feel compelled to move him given his increasing salary. Headley has struggled mightily in his career at San Diego’s Petco Park where he has a career OPS of just .655 in 876 at bats. Headley is a different hitter on the road. His career road OPS is .805 and last season he posted a .864 road OPS. Rescuing Headley from Petco Park could provide the Cubs with a solid offensive and defensive option at third base for a relatively fair price. The familiarity between the Cubs and Padres front offices could help facilitate a deal.
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One problem. Havent the compadres said that Headley is not likely to be available this offseason?
And Theo said Big Z could earn his back into the rotation. In both cases, I’ll believe it when I see. No smart GM is going to openly announce that he’s hell bent on trading a player.