The Chicago Cubs By Position, Ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline

[RavenCub30]

Image courtesy of © David Banks-Imagn Images

In his second year as the club's skipper, Craig Counsell is at the helm of a squad much more balanced and well-rounded than the one he inherited at the outset of his time as the Cubs' manager. One could look at a plethora of reasons why this is a winning ball club, but more than any one area of strength, the Cubs are a good team because they're sound at each position. Here's a look at how the North Siders stack up at each position, and what areas for enhancement there may be at the trade deadline.

Catcher:
#15 Carson Kelly- For a time, Kelly (along with Miguel Amaya) was one half of the most fearsome catching tandem in baseball. The power he provided in the early going nearly canceled out the 31-year-old's more pedestrian pitch-framing. Though his offensive output tapered off through most of June, he's enjoying a bit of a resurgence in July. Checking in with an OPS of .893, Kelly is one reason why there are no safe zones for opponents when facing this lineup. One thing to watch is how the imminent return of Amaya enhances Kelly's game and facilitates some much-needed rest. 

#20 Reese McGuire- Arriving for the purpose of alleviating the pressure on Kelly in the absence of Amaya, McGuire splashed on to the scene, showing off the potential for power in the back end of the Cubs' lineup. His sample size is not large enough to do much with the numbers he's provided in a Cubs uniform. McGuire does possess respectable pitch-framing abilities, though, and has reaped the rewards of receiving the ball from an excellent starting pitching rotation. He's purely a stopgap, but he's been a fine one.

#9 Miguel Amaya- Before he went down with an oblique strain, it was hard to argue that any player for the Chicago Cubs was more improved than Amaya. He left off with an OBP of .313 and an eyebrow-raising OPS of .819. Wholesale upgrades to his swing mechanics and sound defense highlight the youth and adaptability of Amaya, a cherished commdity in a veteran corps. 

First Base:
#29 Michael Busch- Recently installed into the leadoff spot, Busch has vastly outperformed his totals from his previous two seasons with the club. With his power and production in the top of this dangerous batting order has come a considerable level of confidence. His youth not only makes him the obvious choice for the squad's everyday first baseman, but decreases the workload for the perpetually struggling Justin Turner and Jon Berti. 

#3 Justin Turner- Not to sound overly negative, but the 40-year old Justin Turner has been little more than a warm body in a Cubs uniform this season. Not a whole lot was expected from the veteran infielder and he has delivered on that (lack of) expectation. What Turner does provide Counsell's squad, however, is tremendous mentorship and an admirable clubhouse presence. His infamous dugout celebration with the scorching-hot Seiya Suzuki was not only hilarious, but a prime example of the positive energy and leadership he adds to this team. 

#5 Jon Berti- Identifying Berti's place on this team, other than to provide bench depth, is a challenging proposition. With the excellence of the Cubs middle infield, Berti mostly makes his appearances as a pinch-runner or in extra-inning contests, in which the Cubs have not fared so well in. Having said that, if it's depth you're looking for, Berti does provide that, and does so without making any costly errors. With the club shifting its attention to postseason strategy, it remains to be seen whether or not Berti will have a role on this team. 

Second Base:
#2 Nico Hoerner- A fan favorite, veteran second baseman Nico Hoerner is arguably the most consistent player on the roster. His defensive proficiency is practically a given. His staggering range informs his elite prowess in the infield, turning in 9 outs above average (OAA). He's also shown a knack for coming up with big hits, despite not having much power.

#17 Vidal Brujan- Similar to Berti, Bruján's contributions are more evident in the breach than in the observance. He barely gets on base, and even slotted at the bottom of the batting order, he offers far too easy an out to the opposition. Bruján is serviceable from a defensive standpoint, but isn't a sufficiently viable hitter to make that matter. 

Third Base:
#6 Matt Shaw- Now, things get quite interesting. Anyone who knows that Yak-Zies is a bar, and not a mammal, is rooting for the Cubs' most coveted prospect. Shaw is dynamite at the hot corner. Less explosive, however, is his plate production. He's warmed up marvelously coming out of the All-Star break, with three home runs. He's hit in all six games since the season resumed, totaling nine knocks. With the trade deadline almost here and the squad's sights set on postseason contention, however, the acquisition of a player like Eugenio Suárez—pushing Shaw into the wings—is seeming more and more possible.

Shortstop:
#7 Dansby Swanson- Swanson's range has decreased with age, but he still does a decent job holding down his position. His OAA of 1 is not meant to set the world on fire, but he's not costing his team in any significant way. In the batter's box, his 108 OPS+ tops his career average of 97, and like Hoerner, he seems to have come up clutch quite often.

Left Field:
#8 Ian Happ- There are times when it feels like Happ has been playing left field for the Chicago Cubs since before the city laid down the first track for the "L". Happ is a consummate professional and approaches his position with a decidedly cerebral attitude. Average in a number ways, including arm strength, Happ has provided more than just a modest level of pop in his bat over the years, with a career OPS of .786. What makes Happ special (other than his podcasting prowess) is his penchant for hitting off-speed pitches. In 2025, he's hitting .349 against curveballs. 

Center Field:
#4 Pete Crow-Armstrong- The Cubs enjoy several luxuries as a franchise, but one of them is that in Crow-Armstrong, they have the best center fielder in the game this year. Crow-Armstrong has almost single-handedly changed the perception of what's possible at the position. His arm strength ranks in the 94th percentile, he gets to just about everything (even if it has a 0% catch probability), and if that weren't enough, he can hit just about any type of pitch, regardless of location. 

Right Field:
#30 Kyle Tucker- Playing alongside one of the most electric players in baseball, Tucker's defense in right doesn't get as much attention as his lumber, though he is an incredibly well-rounded player. His arm value is elite, and as the high-leverage situations have increased, he's played largely mistake-free baseball. A far cry from what the club endured with former everyday right fielder Suzuki, Tucker has provided the whole organization a tremendous sigh of relief. Countless metrics (and the eyeball test) make Tucker an elite outfielder, but arguably more than anything else, his plate discipline sets him apart from his peers. He doesn't chase bad pitches, doesn't swing and miss a whole lot, and frankly, much of the reason he's such a prolific offensive player is because he knows how to pick his spots. While a cloud of uncertainty swirls around how long he'll be in a Cubs uniform, he certainly provides security at the position right now. 

To analyze and investigate the Cubs position by position, is to find an imperfect masterpiece that has pockets of beauty, but glaring gaps that could make for tougher sledding. The club, even if it made no moves at all, could legitimately compete deep into the postseason. With that said, there has never been a more important juncture for Jed Hoyer and his office to deliver the right haul for his organization to move the needle.

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[Arlen]

Why not bring up Jaxon Wiggins and see what he does? And why in the world is Lue Little in AAA? Phil Bickford? What are they waiting for?