Cubs Rumors: How Perfect of a Fit is Eugenio Suarez in Chicago?

With the MLB Trade Deadline rapidly approaching, the Chicago Cubs are sitting in a fun spot, where the question isn't if they'll make a trade, but rather how many trades will they make? A lot of the focus is being put on adding a starter to the rotation. Plenty of names have been tossed about. Chicago's bench can't be ignored, though. It's been a dark cloud hanging over the head of what has otherwise been an incredible season for the offense.

Eugenio Suarez wouldn't be a bench bat, but trading for him would have a domino effect that impacts the bench. He could be the perfect fit in Chicago. After spending seven years earlier in his career with Cincinnati, Suarez is best known by Cubs fans for being a Cubs killer. Suarez has clubbed 36 home runs to go along with 94 RBI in 132 games against the Cubs throughout his career. His 16 career home runs at Wrigley Field are the most he has at any ballpark that he hasn't played his own home games in.

This year in Arizona -- his second season with the team -- Suarez has been showing off that sweet swing that packs quite the punch. Suarez is in the 87th percentile in hard-hit percentage according to his Statcast page. He's also in the 87th percentile in barrel percentage. Both are noticeable improvements compared to his first year with the Diamondbacks in 2024. It'd be a sight for sore eyes at third base for Chicago.

Matt Shaw has made some adjustments at the plate since being called back up for a second go-round with the major league squad this year.  The leg kick isn't nearly as present, and the glove has been surprisingly superb. Before Wednesday's error in the ninth inning against Cleveland, Shaw had a grand total of zero errors since being called back up in May. Despite that, if there is one weak point in the lineup that could use a jolt, it's been at the hot corner, where Shaw is still riding the rookie roller coaster at the dish.

So, how would Suarez be a perfect fit?

Bringing in Suarez would allow Shaw to catch his breath and become a bench piece for the Cubs. It's an area that needs a facelift. Jon Berti and Vidal Brujan provide some speed off the bench and Justin Turner has become a vibes guy. That's about it.

Shaw would have the luxury of seeing things slow down in a lesser role for the second half, or if the Cubs still wanted the consistent reps, they could send Shaw back to Iowa. A reset could be in the best interest of Shaw, who mentioned on Tuesday how long this season has felt like.

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"I feel like this season has been three years long,” Shaw said. “There’s been so many different environments and so many new things for me. But I’ve learned a lot, I’ve learned a lot about my swing. I mean, I’m just writing stuff down right now, just keeping track of all the adjustments I’m making, what feels good and what doesn’t."

Does that sound like someone who's glowing with confidence and ready to hit his stride for a team with big ambitions of making a postseason run? Bringing in Suarez and sending Shaw to the bench would be one part of the equation that would be beneficial for all parties involved. Plus, Suarez is just a rental. The veteran slugger is set to hit free agency in the winter and while Shaw is sputtering at the plate now, certainly the plan is for him to figure it out and be the Cubs' third baseman of the future. Bringing in Suarez, who's on an expiring deal, presents a neat and tidy little bridge for the Cubs with Shaw.

So why would Arizona do this? Suarez's hard-hit percentage of 50.7 is currently the highest he's ever had in a season during his long career. His .371 WOBA is the highest he's seen since 2019. Point blank, Suarez's stock is as high as it may reach. An optimist would tell you at 43-43, the Diamondbacks are just three games out of the final Wildcard spot. A realist would tell you that they are fourth in their own division, Corbin Burnes is out for the year, Zac Gallen has struggled mightily on the mound, and Suarez could walk for nothing at the end of the year if they don't trade him at the deadline this year.

With his stock as high as possible, Arizona could get a return of a couple nice prospects or one really promising prospect for Suarez. A looming four-game series in San Diego next week against the Padres could seal the fate for how Arizona approaches the deadline.

All in all, if there is one area of weakness in the Cubs lineup, it's at third base.  The best solution that could hit the market is Suarez. He won't be the best answer for some of the woes Chicago has seen against left-handed pitchers (Suarez is shockingly slashing .176/.266/.485 against lefties), but he will be an incredibly consistent power bat that could serve as the final piece of the puzzle for Chicago's dazzling offense.