After signing arguably the second-best Pitcher to come out of the NPB this offseason to a very club friendly deal in Shota Inamaga, the Cubs make more moves soon after to address their gaping 1B hole. Before the Inamaga deal has even been announced officially, they moved 19-year old LHP prospect Jackson Ferris and 18-year old CF Zyhir Hope to the Dodgers in return for their #2 prospect INF Michael Busch who played 72 MLB games in 2023 as well as RHP Yency Almonte who has Major League experience from 2018-23 in the bullpen with the Rockies, and Dodgers as of recent.
Michael Busch joins a small group of Infielders who have some MLB experience in the likes of Chris Morel and Matt Mervis, all three who are in their early to mid-20s. Fangraphs has the 2024 Cubs infield projected as so for Opening Day: 1B Michael Busch, 2B Nico Hoerner, 3B Nick Madrigal, and SS Dansby Swanson. Busch balances out the lineup at the bottom being a LHH in a heavy RHH lineup. Mervis and Morel would most likely start down in the Minors, waiting in the wings for any injuries. Yency Almonte will slide into the Cubs bullpen easily after room on the roster was made when the team DFA’d Catcher Brian Serven.
