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Top Defensive Shortstop Trade Options for the Cubs

 


Yep. I want Carlos Correa too. He's a great defensive and offensive player that would add a lot to the Cubs. I hate to burst your bubble, but it's not a guarantee that he's signing with the Cubs. They may be the front runners for him, but with the new CBA contract in the future, and the price...it's still not a given that the Cubs will get Correa.

So, as a backup, I made a list of some of the top defensive shortstops in the league who could be possible trade options for the Cubs if they don't get Correa.

1. Nicky Lopez

Lopez was the top defensive shortstop in 2021, having a 24 OAA (Outs Above Average) according to Statcast. That was not only the great thing about Lopez in 2021. He had a .300/.365/.378 with a 106 wRC+ and a 4.4 WAR. He had a low 13.1% K rate and a good 8.7% BB rate. Although he never hits the ball hard, and his 26.9% HardH rate is in the bottom 3% of the league, his success is obvious. 

His 2021 season was the first time in his three-year MLB career that he broke a 100 wRC+. In 2019 and 2020 he had a 55 and 56 wRC+ respectively. So, his 2021 season showed something of a breakout for him, and if he can come close to repeating it, he'd be a great asset for the Cubs.

Perhaps if the Royals wanted to get rid of an expensive contract (like the Hosmer trade), they could throw Lopez in there too. He'd definitely solve the shortstop defense problem for the Cubs.

2. Nick Ahmed

Ahmed ranks no. 3 with 19 OAA, just behind Lindor with 20 OAA. Although a career below-average hitter (best year was 2020 hitting .266/.327/.402 with a 96 wRC+), he still provides great defense. He has great speed as well, and a lower 22% K rate. He's not a power hitter nor does he hit the ball hard, but his specialty is defense.

If the Cubs traded for him, it would again have to be similar to the Hosmer trade idea, and while it would provide great defense, the hitting has an area for improvement.

3. Andrelton Simmons

Simmons is no. 4 on the list, with 16 OAA, but is in a similar situation as Ahmed, having a career of about average hitting. His stats have been going down since 2018, his best year in hitting (.292/.337/.417 with a 106 wRC+). In 2021, he hit .223/.283/.274 with a 56 wRC+, and while those numbers will likely even out in 2022, I doubt he'll be back to his 2018 form.

In 2020, he did have a 96 wRC+, so there is a definite possibility that he can become an average hitter in 2022, but likely not an elite hitter like Correa. The defense is certainly great, but as to being a solid shortstop who will not struggle...probably not.


While I could mention other top defensive shortstops like Lindor, Crawford, or Andrus, I can't really see those trades happening, so I'll keep it to these three.

Obviously, Lopez seems like the best option (besides Correa), with above average hitting and top shortstop defense in the league. Ahmed and Simmons both seem like platoon options with Hoerner, and there is no guaranteed success with either of them.

It is interesting to note that Sergio Alcantara ranks no. 8 in the top shortstops defensively, having 8 OAA. So, it wouldn't be too much use trading for a shortstop with worse defense than Alcantara if you have a solid defensive option in him.

Of course, I really do hope that the Cubs get Correa, but if they don't, I think they'd have a solid backup option in Lopez, if they can pry him away from the Royals. That's all for now, just some general thoughts on these top defensive shortstops.

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