The Cubs aren’t sitting idle this offseason – not by a long shot. In a move that signals they’re serious about contending, Chicago pulled off a notable trade with the Marlins, acquiring right-hander Edward Cabrera to bolster their rotation.

The price? A significant one: top prospect Owen Caissie, along with Christian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon, are headed to Miami.

It’s a calculated gamble. Cabrera brings electric stuff and frontline potential, and with Shōta Imanaga now anchoring the rotation, the Cubs are starting to piece together a staff that could be a real threat in the National League. But while the pitching side is shaping up, there’s a looming question mark on the offensive end – and it’s spelled K-Y-L-E T-U-C-K-E-R.

Tucker, a dynamic outfielder and one of the most consistent bats in the game, is drawing serious attention on the open market. The Cubs would love to keep him in the fold, but the odds of a reunion are fading fast. And that means it’s time for Plan B – or maybe even Plan A-Plus, depending on how you look at it.

Two names have reportedly surfaced as potential targets: Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette. Now, neither is an outfielder, so they wouldn’t be a one-to-one replacement for Tucker in the field.

But if you’re talking about offensive production? Both bring plenty to the table.

Bregman, the veteran third baseman, played in 114 games last season and slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs. He’s a proven postseason performer, a steady presence in the lineup, and a player who knows how to grind through a season. He may not have Tucker’s speed or outfield glove, but his bat plays – and plays well.

Then there’s Bichette. The Blue Jays shortstop put together a strong regular season, hitting .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs in 139 games.

That’s impressive enough on its own, but what really stands out is how he performed in the postseason – all while dealing with injury. He’s a gamer, plain and simple, and the kind of offensive weapon who could instantly change the complexion of the Cubs’ lineup.

Adding either Bregman or Bichette would require some creative roster maneuvering, but this isn’t about positional fit as much as it is about keeping pace in a competitive NL landscape. If the Cubs are going to lose Tucker – and at this point, that’s looking more and more likely – they can’t afford to sit back and hope everything works out.

They’ve already made one aggressive move with the Cabrera deal. Now it’s time to double down.

The market for impact bats is heating up, and the Cubs know it. If they want to land a player of Bregman or Bichette’s caliber, they’ll need to move quickly. Because once the dominoes start falling, the best options won’t be around for long.