Inside The Cubs

Report: Chicago Cubs Top Free Agent Target Signs With Astros

The Chicago Cubs' top target in free agency has just reportedly agreed to a deal with the World Series champions Houston Astros.

Kade Kistner

Report: Chicago Cubs Top Free Agent Target Signs With Astros
Report: Chicago Cubs Top Free Agent Target Signs With Astros /
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The Chicago Cubs will now have to pivot after their "top" target in the free agent market has found his new home. According to multiple reports, first baseman José Abreu has just signed with the Houston Astros. 

While the full details of the contract are unknown, USA Today's Bob Nightengale has reported that it will be a three-year deal for Abreu, who will turn 36 before the 2023 MLB season gets under way.

With Abreu off the board, the Cubs will have to turn towards "Plan B" which may be veteran Josh Bell. There have been plenty of reports connecting the two and, like Abreu, the fit makes sense. 

Bell has a career slashline of .262/.351/.459 and comes with some real power, evidenced by his 37 home runs with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019. 

While Abreu would have been the perfect fit in terms of production, cost (or at least likely), and veteran leadership, Chicago will still have plenty of other options to fill their needs at first base.

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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