Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs 'Love' Diamondbacks' MVP Candidate as Third Base Upgrade in Bold Deadline Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 9:30 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are 19 games above .500 and yet sit tied atop the National League Central with the Milwaukee Brewers. What was once a comfortable five-game lead has vanished, forcing the Cubs to reevaluate their roster ahead of next week’s trade deadline.

One position the Cubs are adamant about upgrading is third base. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale already reported that Chicago made a call to the Pittsburgh Pirates about Ke’Bryan Hayes. However, Chicago’s President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer, has his eyes on a much bigger prize.

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Cubs would “love” to acquire Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Eugenio Suarez to replace the struggling Matt Shaw (.210/.285/.304) at the hot corner.

Suarez, 34, is in the middle of a career season that should place him in the MVP conversation at season’s end. The power-hitting right-hander is hitting .257 with a NL-leading 35 home runs and league-leading 85 RBIs. Through 98 games, the 2025 All-Star has a career-high .605 slugging percentage and is on pace to surpass other career highs in doubles, RBIs, and OPS+.

Suarez is undoubtedly the biggest bat available at the deadline, which will likely come with an astronomical asking price. Yet, the Cubs may have the leg up on the competition if they are willing to part ways with top prospect Owen Caissie. Although Cubs fans' immediate response is a resounding no, Hoyer and superstar Kyle Tucker’s impending free agent status may be enough to go all-in and maximize a potential final season of the current core.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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