The Chicago Cubs “attempted” to trade for San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer

Despite being a huge seller at the trade deadline by trading Javier Báez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Joc Pederson, Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Chafin, and Ryan Tepera in the final two weeks of July, the Chicago Cubs reportedly “attempted” to trade for first baseman Eric Hosmer of the San Diego Padres, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic (subscription required).

In the deal, the San Diego Padres would have sent Eric Hosmer to the Chicago Cubs and an unknown top prospect to the Chicago Cubs but they fizzled out before the trade deadline.

A trade sending Eric Hosmer from the San Diego Padres to the Chicago Cubs could be beneficial for both teams.

Despite talks not going anywhere in July, a deal sending Eric Hosmer to the Chicago Cubs from the San Diego Padres could benefit both teams and still happen when the lockout ends.

The Cubs have plenty of money now that they don’t have Bryant, Báez, Rizzo, Kimbrel, and others. That’s part of the reason why they signed free agent starting pitcher Marcus Stroman just before the lockout started. The Cubs roughly have $103.2 million on the books including their arbitration-eligible players and Stroman.

In 2021, the Cubs roughly had a payroll of $150 million and in 2019, their payroll was second-highest in baseball at roughly $205 million so they can still take on some big contracts.

Hosmer is owed $21 million in 2022 before he can opt-out of his contract. If he opts in to the remainder of the contract, he would be opting into three more years and $39 million ($13 million per season).

The Padres would have more payroll flexibility to address their offense (aka sign an outfielder like Nick Castellanos) and the Cubs would have a first baseman and a top prospect.

The trade is something that both the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs could and should examine more closely, despite the difficulties that could arise with moving a big contract like Eric Hosmer’s.