Earlier this afternoon, it was announced that the Washington Nationals were having an absolute fire sale. Nationals GM, Mike Rizzo, did everything in his power to have a successful team this year. This season has been yet another disappointment for DC and its fans, and after last night’s game against the Marlins, the Nationals slipped back under .500. After a lot of speculation, it was decided that changes needed to be made.
The Cubs offense has been struggling lately. In their latest series against the Pirates, they combined for four runs in a four-game span. With the injury of 3B Kris Bryant earlier in the season, the Cubs have been looking for a solid answer for the missing spot in the infield. I think they’ve found their answer.
Daniel Murphy has been absolutely raking at Wrigley Field in his career – .413/.440/.702 in 28 games, and 7-12 with 2B and a HR in 2018 with the Nationals. With these insanely hot numbers at his new home field, it’s hard not to mention his .340 BA since the All-Star Break.
Murphy’s patient bat will be a huge help, but it brings a question to the current state of the Cubs infield. Addison Russell has had a rough time at the plate and on the base paths this season. His last HR was in June, and he’s been batting .213/.272/.544 since then.
I believe that the Cubs will ride the rest of this time out with Russell, keeping him as a utility player and backup SS. He should continue to stay in the lineup during rest days, that is, until Kris Bryant comes back. Until that point, the best option for the Cubs would be as follows: Rizzo 1B, Murphy 2B, Baez SS, Bote 3B. It will be a remarkably good problem to have when the Cubs have to choose between Bote, Baez, Bryant, and Murphy to fill the remaining spots in the infield.
With the addition of the amazing veteran mind to the lineup, it could add some reliability offensively and also add some help in the field as well.
This addition can light a fire underneath the Cubs, propelling them to the best record in the NL by the end of the season and, obviously, the top spot in the NL Central. This lineup will certainly be something to watch from here on out.
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