Less than two weeks are away until pitchers and catchers start reporting for spring training. However, there are a few big names available on the market that have yet to be signed, some who might fit with the Cubs. Among them is four-time Gold Glove-winning third baseman Matt Chapman. The 30-year-old began his career in the Bay with the A’s, 6 hours north of where he grew up in Victorville, CA. Once Oakland realized it was time to trade off everyone and start from scratch before the 2022 season, Chapman was on the chopping block. He was sent to Toronto, where he played 195 games in two full seasons as a Blue Jay.
Now the question is, will Chapman return north of the border? Or will he find a new home? The Cubs are among other suitors for the Cal State Fullerton Alum, and the connection is certainly there. However, there are some drawbacks to bringing in a guy like Chapman to Wrigleyville.
You can’t pass up on what you know as long as the price tag is appropriate.
The one thing that comes with bringing a free agent of Chapman’s track record is the following contract. Sources have estimated a four-year, 100-million-dollar contract could be a good place to start in negotiations for the former All-Star.
When you look into Chapman’s game, there is no doubt the incredible defense at the hot corner has always been there. Winning multiple Gold Gloves is difficult, let alone the two Platinum Gloves Chapman has to his name.
In every season with his bat, Chapman has been at or above league average in OPS +. He has also cracked down on his strikeout rate and has seen his general slugging numbers improve.
What some teams have been hesitant about when looking at Chapman is the dip in power from this past season. Even though he played 15 more games in 2022, many of Chapman’s offensive statistics saw some change. He hit ten fewer homers and drove 18 fewer runs in 2023 than in his first year as a Jay. However, he hit 12 more doubles and saw his average increase by 11 points.
While not everything Chapman did offensively was toward the bottom of his single-season marks, the inconsistencies presented might hold a team back from throwing him 100 million big ones.
