Hello Cubs World,

you know it. I know it. We all know that Vidal Brujan is a placeholder - a disposable glove guy. 
Brujan hasn't done anything to force himself onto the field - he's just burning lowest leverage innings. 
So let's get to it. Hoyer has the usual two choices: acquire or promote a bench player. 

Team Needs
 There's a few ways a bench player could improve the team. 
1) Another power hitter  
2) Righty killer platoon LHB at 2B, 3B, or LF - Matt Shaw hits only .658 against righties. Nico Hoerner: .625. Happ: .662.  
3) Infield glove coverage at 2B, 3B (Hoerner is already the backup SS) 

We had a plan for this role, but it didn't pan out- Gage Workman. He was supposed to materialize as that precise guy. I still think Workman has the right stuff to eventually be such a player, but not quite yet. However, plus hitting lefties at 2nd base are a pricey commodity. 

Best Promotion Option: OWEN CAISSIE

This is the only real promotion option other than Moises Ballesteros. It is the most obvious choice. It is his year to earn a cup of coffee in the majors. He can routinely pinch for Shaw and Hoerner in the 7th-9th innings,, and then take a corner outfield spot to end the game. He could appear in strictly low leverage situations. 

A clear strategy would be promoting him immediately, and stretching him out for 30 at bats before the break, and THEN grabbing a replacement veteran. 

Other Promotion Option: Moises Ballesteros
He makes more sense as a brief injury sub at 1B, DH, or Catcher, if such a need arises. At his young age, we can keep him getting glove reps and focus on a 2026 promotion. Still, he would be a routine pinch hitter at the 1B or catcher position - similar to Caissie, coming in as a pinch hitter.  

Ideal Veteran Option: A power hitting lefty infield player who can platoon with Shaw AND Hoerner, depending on who's coldest vs righties, and still steal bases.
If we could find a LHB with .700+ OPS, .380+ SLG, and an infield glove for 2B/3B, we should seriously go that route. That player could heavily platoon in rotation with Hoerner and Shaw, drawing over 150 at bats over the second half. That player would make everyone else look better and really complete a scary lineup. 

Best Targets:
Luis Garcia Jr - 4.5 MM first year arbitration. 
Nationals 95 wrc+ , 5 HR, very high contact rate, average glove .2 WAR

Adam Frazier - 1.5 MM 1y contract
Pirates 93 wrc+, 3 HR, high contact rate, plus glove .4 WAR

....that's about it. Anyone else is too expensive or on a contender roster. 

Garcia Jr would be a really juicy pickup, but his price would be concerning. His trajectory is that of an everyday starter, and the Nats would like to keep that. However, Adam Frazier should be affordable, and has veteran panache. Frazier has played this sort of role in the past with top teams. He's a good club guy. 
 

Conclusion 

My strategy would be:
1) immediately cut Brujan
2) promote either Caissie or Ballesteros as a pinch righty killer
3) Adam Frazier

Left-hitting second basemen are tough to find and desirable; Frazier circulates to fill that platoon niche - he's THAT dude. He would be the Jelly to Justin Turner's peanut butter. Both would be expected to hit close to .270 batting average and .700 OPS in platoons, with just a few homers each. And, his price is so low that he'd come cheaply- a mutual prospect swap would do fine, with Frazier representing the "throw-in" to the deal. This sounds like a Pirates sort of deal.