Let’s Find the Chicago Cubs a Backup Outfielder

[Brian Kelder]

Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

 

The Cubs' position player group has been blessed with fairly good health this season. Only Miguel Amaya has missed extended time due to injury. But look at recent seasons, and there’s reason to add to the outfielder group.

Seiya Suzuki has missed a month or more in all three of his career seasons, and has not had that this season. Kyle Tucker missed extended time last season. Ian Happ, God bless him, might just need more breaks at almost age 31. Pete Crow-Armstrong sports a .232 OBP against lefties. There’s room for an outfielder in the mix. Who's realistically available and helpful—and on an expiring contract?

The one-stop shop could be in Baltimore. Top Orioles decision-maker Mike Elias has telegraphed his desire to get a return on his impending free agents. The Orioles will be sitting out October; time to pillage some outfield depth.

Cedric Mullins is in the last year of his deal and shouldn't have an exorbitant price tag. Mullins has two areas of appeal. First, he has a stellar defensive reputation. His range is a bit diminished, relative to his peak, but it remains solid. The overall package suggests a player who can fill in any outfield position, although he’s never played anywhere but center field. 

You may have wondered why I included Crow-Armstrong’s lefty splits. Mullins addresses this. He’s been a reverse splits guy, and has destroyed lefties to the tune of a .288/.380/.450 line this year. In the dog days of summer, an occasional day off for Crow-Armstrong would for sure be helpful. Mullins addresses some of these needs.

Fellow Bird Ramón Laureano might be too good a player to be a backup depth guy. He’s sporting a .514 slugging percentage, good for a career high 133 wRC+. While his range has diminished at age 30, the arm continues to resemble a howitzer. If dealt, he surely would hope to be a starter.

But what if the market fails to materialize and the Cubs swoop in? Laureano has been a corner outfield guy primarily, but has manned center often in his career. He would be a more-than-capable fill-in, if injury or prolonged Happ underperformance strikes. 

These aren’t particularly likely, though—especially if Willi Castro is available from the Twins. He would be able to cover the outfield, as well as the infield. There is one more option, too, but fans might respond to this poorly. 

Harrison Bader fits. I know, I know: he was terribly annoying as a Cardinal, with his beautiful golden locks and his constant tracking down of fly balls. He’s still really good at outfield defense in Minnesota, his fifth stop in the majors. Imagine that alongside the already Gold Glove-quality center fielder. Bader could make a difference in playoff games and down the stretch, and yes, he hits lefties.

Outfield is not the top target for Jed Hoyer this week, but marginal adds like these can be important. Don’t rule out a surprise depth outfield acquisition before Thursday evening.

 

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[Outshined_One]

20 minutes ago, Brian Kelder said:

Outfield is not the top target for Jed Hoyer this week, but marginal adds like these can be important. Don’t rule out a surprise depth outfield acquisition before Thursday evening.

 

This has actually been hovering around my #2/#3 biggest need for the Cubs.  This team has a phenomenal 1-9 options for the everyday lineup (10 if you include McGuire or Amaya), but things completely fall off a cliff once you go past that.  Berti, Brujan, and Turner have been varying levels of bad, and Turner needs to be kept as far away from the OF as possible.  They need someone who can hit LHP off the bench in a pinch, and the lack of depth is really going to show if upgrades aren't made at the deadline.

[Rex Buckingham]

I'd love to have Laureano or Bader to give Happ and PCA cover against tough lefties.  Not that they have to sit against every one of them, but give them a day off here and there.

[Backtobanks]

Getting Tauchman is a no brainer.  Covers all 3 OF positions, great at getting on base, and the cost should be cheap.

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, Backtobanks said:

Getting Tauchman is a no brainer.  Covers all 3 OF positions, great at getting on base, and the cost should be cheap.

I know he hits lefties well, but I would still rather get a true right handed bench outfield bat. I do understand your Tauchman idea and wouldn’t hate it. But I would rather see someone who bats from the right side. Wouldn’t hurt if he can play a little first base too. No idea who this could be, btw.