The Cubs show interest in Eugenio Suarez, according to a report from Francys Romero of Beisbol FR, as they explore third-base options. While Chicago isn’t considered a frontrunner in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, that doesn’t mean the organization will stay quiet this winter. The club has made clear their preference to add a starting pitcher to the front of the rotation, and they’ve been linked to a number of arms, including Michael King, Tatsuya Imai, Zac Gallen, and Ranger Suarez. They also remain in the market for bullpen help, even after signing Phil Maton and after missing out on Ryan Helsley when he signed with Baltimore last month.
Although the focus of Chicago’s offseason remains pitching, adding a productive bat to the lineup makes sense, especially with the likelihood of Tucker departing. In recent days, the Cubs have been connected to Alex Bregman, who was one of the final teams in on his market last winter. With Matt Shaw delivering a solid but not spectacular season at third base (93 wRC+, 1.5 fWAR) and second baseman Nico Hoerner headed toward free agency after the 2026 season, upgrading the infield remains a logical consideration this winter.
Suarez would be a more affordable option than Bregman. At 34 years old, Suarez enjoyed one of his best seasons recently, blasting 49 home runs and posting a 125 wRC+, yet his market has been relatively quiet this winter. The Mariners have expressed openness to a reunion with Suarez but appear to be prioritizing a possible return of Jorge Polanco at the moment. Over the summer, teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Brewers, and Astros were tied to Suarez in trade rumors, but there have been no links to those clubs this offseason. Of course, acquiring a few months of a player before free agency is a very different move than signing him to a multi-year deal.
Still, Suarez fits the Cubs in a straightforward way. He’d bolster the offense and provide coverage at third base for Shaw, much like Bregman would, though Suarez would likely come with a shorter and less expensive commitment. MLB Trade Rumors projected Suarez to land a three-year, $63 million deal this winter, ranking him 20th on their Top 50 free agents list. In contrast, Bregman’s consensus projection was six years and $160 million, reflecting Bregman’s younger age, steadier production, and superior defense.
That price disparity matters. The Cubs have treated the luxury tax threshold as a flexible ceiling in recent seasons, and current projections put their luxury-tax commitments for 2026 just shy of $197 million. The roughly $6 million difference in average annual value between Suarez and Bregman would still leave meaningful room—about $46 million—before hitting the luxury tax floor, a gap that could be used to add a rotation arm if desired.
Moreover, Chicago has shown caution about long-term, big-money commitments beyond Dansby Swanson’s deal. Maton’s contract through 2027 marks only the second guaranteed deal extended beyond 2026. While more long-term moves are plausible this winter, signing Suarez on a shorter term could be appealing for maintaining roster flexibility, especially if Hoerner is extended or re-signed next offseason.
It’s worth noting that while Suarez and Bregman are the Cubs’ most-discussed targets, other third-base options will be available this winter. Kazuma Okamoto, an accomplished NPB infielder poised to join MLB this winter, could be a factor, as could Polanco, who has some third-base experience. Other names with varying profiles—Sung-Mun Song (KBO), Yoan Moncada, Willi Castro, and Ramon Urias—are also in the mix among players with different levels of upside.
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