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Which Top FA Outfielders Would Be A Good Fit for the Cubs?



 Let's start with some overall news and then get into our subject for today.

Noah Syndergaard signed a 1-year deal with the Angels today. Kind of an interesting move- seems like they want to get Trout and Ohtani a World Series victory, maybe?


The Blue Jays have extended their trade-deadline pickup Jose Berrios...

 

Looks like the Mets finally have their GM after interviewing scores of candidates. I was wondering if they were going to start interviewing fans. 


MLB's NL Manager of the Year goes to Gabe Kaplan from the Giants

 

That's all the major news there is. Nothing big from the Cubs today, though we might be seeing some action soon on the market for the Cubs.

Which of the top free agent outfielders would be a good fit for the Cubs? I'm going to name 7 outfielders and we'll discuss each briefly.

  • Kyle Schwarber, LF (29) The Cubs surprisingly let him go over this past offseason, and he did very well this season with the Nationals and Red Sox, batting .266/.374/.554. Although it would be nice to have him back, and his slugging is what the lineup needs, it seems like Schwarber and the Cubs have parted ways, and it is doubtful he will come back.
  • Eddie Rosario, LF (30) He's a lefty, and lefty power is one of the things the Cubs' lineup needs, and Rosario is a more well-rounded kind of player. He can slug, doesn't strikeout much, and also makes good contact. Overall in 2021 he batted .259/.305/.435 in time with Cleveland and Atlanta. I can see him being a possibility, seeing his good 18% K rate, but the Cubs might also want to focus on a guy that is mainly a lefty slugger. Not that Rosario wouldn't be a good pick-up for the Cubs, I'm just not sure if he is exactly what they are looking for.
  • Starling Marte, CF (33) If the Cubs did want him, they'd face some good competition, but he'd be a valuable player. He batted .310/.383/.458 with the Athletics and Marlins. So, not a slugging kind of player, but a great contact hitter and great speed resulting in stolen bases. The Cubs might want to get him, but I don't think they'll be willing to compete against other teams in pricing and all.
  • Chris Taylor, CF (31) He's more than an outfielder, he can play 2nd and SS as well. He batted .254/.344/.438 with the Dodgers, and he'd be a valuable player to any team. But to the Cubs? He can hit, for sure, with lots of base hits and homers, but the strikeout rate can be a little high, reaching to 30% in his career. Would the Cubs want Taylor? If they end up getting Corey Seager, I'd say no. He'd have no place at 2nd or SS, and he'd end up getting the every-day start in the outfield.
  • Nick Castellanos, RF (30) Cubs fans remember Castellanos, for sure, and I know he can hit in Chicago. He batted .309/.362/.576 with the Reds, and he fits exactly what the Cubs need. A guy who can slug, a guy with a low strikeout rate, and a guy that is already familiar with the Cubs. Expensive? Of course. But the Cubs have money, and I'd like to see them sign some position players to longer-term deals this offseason. In my eyes, Castellanos would be an ideal candidate.
  • Jorge Soler, RF(30) He's familiar to Cubs fans as well, but I don't think it would be as good as a fit. He batted .223/.316/.432 with the Royals and Braves, and most of those bad stats came from his time with the Royals. I can't really see him coming back to the Cubs, and I also don't think he's the kind of guy the Cubs are targeting. 
So, If you can tell, I think Castellanos would be the best fit, although if the right deal came up, or if Castellanos was taken, then Rosario would be a good second choice. 4-5 year deal with Castellanos? Sounds good to me. He can play RF, or he also could DH, if that is an option in 2022. If he is their DH, then Heyward (who probably won't get traded), will continue playing RF.

Anyway, that's all for today, so y'all have a good week!

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