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Cubs Urged to Acquire Rockies’ All-Star as Offensive Upgrade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 7:00 AM ET

With a 49-35 record and a two-game lead in the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs are positioning themselves as legitimate contenders, and the front office is expected to act accordingly. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has made their trade deadline intentions clear: the Cubs will explore every option to upgrade the roster.

Hoyer, in the final year of his contract, is no stranger to bold moves. The Cubs have openly expressed the desire to acquire another frontline starter, but the club should not ignore the offense.

Even without a blockbuster move, the Cubs can significantly boost their postseason odds with calculated improvements. Incremental upgrades, instead of drastic overhauls, may be all this team needs to take the next step.

According to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, third base is a position the Cubs could be looking to upgrade.

“The win-now mode puts Matt Shaw under the microscope at third base, where his defense has been spectacular and his offensive production has been lacking,” Mooney wrote. “Looking ahead to potential October matchups, it would make sense to add another right-handed hitter to pair with first baseman Michael Busch. Justin Turner’s postseason experience brings a lot of intangible value, but he’s 40 years old, and he hasn’t gotten into an offensive rhythm as a Cub yet.”

Mooney lists Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon as a player the Cubs are monitoring as the trade deadline nears.

McMahon, 30, would likely not overtake Shaw at third base, but could supplant Turner as a designated hitting option and deepen Chicago’s bench. This season, McMahon is slashing .220/.322/.394 with 12 home runs and 25 RBIs. The former All-Star does carry a hefty price tag of over $32 million through 2027, but that could also drive Colorado’s asking price down as a result.

Desperate to win now, Hoyer should be open to any scenario, including taking on McMahon’s contract if it means pushing Chicago closer to a World Series championship.

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

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