Would the Chicago Cubs consider grabbing at waived Eugenio Suarez?

The Chicago Cubs are not in such a comfortable position anymore.

Being 6.5 games behind the first place Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central Division is pretty much a death sentence for their chance of winning the division, even with seven games remaining against their rivals.

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Chicago currently has the top NL Wild Card spot, but their lead over the Phildelphia Phillies, which was as much as five games at one point, has now been whittled down to just two. The San Diego Padres, meanwhile, are just four games behind the Cubs, holding the third NL Wild Card seed.

After a pair of tough losses and a 2-4 road trip, some legitimate concern has to be floating through the team’s collective brain trust.

Maybe a big, late-season shakeup is needed—something that could rattle the cage a bit and give the team a jolt of energy?

Eugenio Suarez off waivers?

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Could Eugenio Suarez provide that jolt of energy?

On Wednesday, it was reported by MLB insider Ken Rosenthal that the Cincinnati Reds had placed power-hitting third baseman Eugenio Suarez on waivers, along with outfielder TJ Friedl.

It looks to be a move entirely motivated by money issues, as another team claiming Suarez would be on the line for the remaining $3 million on his contract this season.

The 35-year-old veteran, however, hasn’t exactly been killing it this season amid a run of nagging injuries that’s kept him at DH for much of the year. He’s hitting just .208 over 103 games, but does have 19 home runs in 361 at bats.

Given his history, Suarez would clearly bring pop and long-ball threat to any team that snatches him up. In Chicago’s case, specifically, Suarez has been a long-time Cubs killer. Over the course of his career, he has 16 home runs and 40 RBIs in 242 at bats at Wrigley Field.

So, would the Cubs be interested in Suarez?

Could the Cubs be interested?

It might be intriguing to consider a bat as potentially impactful as Suarez’s somewhere in the already-potent Cubs’ lineup. With Alex Bregman at third, his time would mostly be spent at DH, although he did play three games at first base last season with the Mariners and Diamondbacks. Maybe he could be slated in after Michael Busch but before Ian Happ in the lineup.

Picking up a veteran so late in the season, during a pennant race, is not unheard of. Just last season, the Cubs acquired first baseman Carlos Santana for the tail end of the push to the playoffs. When rosters expand on September 1, there’s definitely a case to be made for having Suarez around in a postseason push over a Triple-A prospect or a fringe role player.

But the Cubs grabbing at the right-handed bat seems pretty unlikely at this point, despite buzz over the last couple seasons that had them showing interest in what he brings to the plate. Matt Shaw is doing well in his minor league rehab assignment and is expected back fairly soon. The Cubs also hope to have Dansby Swanson back from his oblique issue by the postseason.

So, as interesting as it would be for the Cubs to add Suarez, it’s probably not going to happen. As a matter of fact, given the $3 million still owed him for this year, he’s expected to clear waivers and stay put in Cincinnati.

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