Cubs predicted to be among frontrunners to land projected $174M star

The Chicago Cubs have the means to make a big splash this offseason.

Chicago won 83 games in 2024, but there is a lot of talent on this Cubs roster, and they could add even more this winter. It has been reported that the Cubs could be in the market for an upgrade at first base, and there are some top-tier options out there in free agency.

Arguably, the most intriguing first baseman available on the open market right now is New York Mets star Pete Alonso. He is one of the best sluggers in baseball and has launched 226 home runs over the last six seasons, including the 60-game 2020 season.

He's the exact player that could take the Cubs' offense to another level and Newsweek's Zach Pressnell had Chicago on his list of most likely landing spots for the New York star.

"The Chicago Cubs have been heavily linked to Alonso dating all the way back to early June of this year," Pressnell said. "Chicago could use a big slugger at first base opening up the ability to move Michael Busch around the field or into the DH.

"Alonso would be the Cubs' big pickup of the year and it would push Craig Counsell's team in the right direction. Sometimes it's less about adding the perfect fit for your team and it's more about adding an elite talent when he's available. If the Cubs don't take a shot at acquiring Alonso, they will regret it."

Landing Alonso would be the exact type of all-in move the club should be considering. He immediately would be the team's best slugger. The Cubs didn't hand Craig Counsell a historic deal last offseason just to rebuild. The Cubs are looking to contend and landing Alonso could be a shortcut to doing so.