Cubs Could've Have Best Infield in MLB if They Didn't Trade Gleyber Torres

Let's take a moment to think about what could have been for the Chicago Cubs.

Just imagine if the organization hadn't traded Gleyber Torres to the New York Yankees back in 2016 in a package for Aroldis Chapman, who would end up re-joining the Yanks the very next year. The Cubs would have a completely stacked infield, with a high-caliber player at every single position.

Let's break it down:

Catcher: 27-year-old Willson Contreras (.286 BA, 19 HR, 55 RBI)

First Base: 29-year-old Anthony Rizzo (.290 BA, 20 HR, 69 RBI)

Second Base: 22-year-old Gleyber Freaking Torres (.295 BA, 20 HR, 54 RBI)

Shortstop: 26-year-old Javier Báez (.290, 25 HR, 68 RBI)

Third Base: 27-year-old Kris Bryant (.299, 21 HR, 51 RBI)

The amount of power and contact hitting that would have been in that lineup is baffling to say the least, not to mention defensive intensity. Every player is hitting in the high .200s with nearly 20 homers apiece. Not to mention the fact that they were all MLB All-Stars in 2019, with the exception of Rizzo, who's usually an annual participant in the game.

It's hard to compete with that.

Sorry Chicago fans, but you will probably never get to see Gleyber Torres eating deep dish. It's safe to say he likes New York-style all the way.

Look on the bright side. At least the acquisition of Chapman helped deliver the franchise a World Series Championship. However, in gloomier terms, the trade has been costing the team ever since.